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Flank pain
Pain - side; Side pain
Flank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back.
Considerations
Flank pain can be a sign of a kidney problem. But, since many organs are in this area, other causes are possible. If you have flank pain and fever , chills, blood in the urine, or frequent or urgent urination, then a kidney problem is the likely cause. It could be a sign of kidney stones .
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
Kidney stones
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
Causes
Flank pain may be caused by any of the following:
- Arthritis or infection of the spine
- Back problem, such as disk disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Liver disease
-
Muscle spasm
Muscle spasm
Muscle cramps are when a muscle gets tight (contracts) without you trying to tighten it, and it does not relax. Cramps may involve all or part of on...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Kidney stone, infection, or abscess
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Shingles
(pain with one-sided
rash
)
Shingles
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the virus that also causes chicken...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleRash
Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Spinal fracture
Home Care
Treatment depends on the cause.
Rest, physical therapy, and exercise may be recommended if the pain is caused by muscle spasm. You will be taught how to do these exercises at home.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy may be prescribed for flank pain caused by spinal arthritis.
Antibiotics are used to treat most kidney infections. You will also receive fluids and pain medicine. You may need to stay in the hospital.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have:
- Flank pain along with a high fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting
- Blood (red or brown color) in the urine
- Unexplained flank pain that continues
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The doctor or nurse will examine you. You will be asked about your medical history and symptoms, including:
- Location of the pain
- When the pain began, if it's always there or comes and goes, if it's getting worse
- What the pain feels like, such as dull and aching or sharp
- What other symptoms you have
The following tests may be done:
-
Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal CT scan
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Blood tests to check kidney and liver function
- Chest x-ray
-
Kidney or
abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...
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Lumbosacral spine x-ray
Lumbosacral spine x-ray
A lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine. This area includes the lumbar region and the s...
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Tests to check the kidneys and bladder, such as
urinalysis
and
urine culture
, or
cystourethrogram
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleUrine culture
A urine culture is a lab test to check for bacteria or other germs in a urine sample. It can be used to check for a urinary tract infection in adults...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleCystourethrogram
A voiding cystourethrogram is an x-ray study of the bladder and urethra. It is done while the bladder is emptying.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
References
Ferri FF. Urolithiasis (nephrolithiasis). In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2015. Philadelphia: PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2015:1205-1207.
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 114.
McQuaid K. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 132.
Millham FH. Acute abdominal pain. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 11.
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Anatomical landmarks, back view - illustration
There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.
Anatomical landmarks, back view
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks, front view - illustration
There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.
Anatomical landmarks, front view
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks, side view - illustration
There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.
Anatomical landmarks, side view
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks, back view - illustration
There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.
Anatomical landmarks, back view
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks, front view - illustration
There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.
Anatomical landmarks, front view
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks, side view - illustration
There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.
Anatomical landmarks, side view
illustration
Review Date: 3/5/2015
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
