Flank pain
Pain - side; Side painFlank 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.
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.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCauses
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
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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...
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Kidney stone, infection, or abscess
Kidney stone
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.
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Shingles (pain with one-sided rash)
Shingles
Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes family of viruses. This is the viru...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleRash
Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.
Read 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
Contact your health care provider if you have any of the following:
- 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 provider 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
- If your pain is related to activities or bending over
- What the pain feels like, such as dull and aching or sharp
- What other symptoms you have
The following tests may be done:
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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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Blood tests to check kidney and liver function
- Ultrasound to look at your internal organs
- Chest or abdominal 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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...
Read 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...
Read 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.
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References
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.
McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.
Millham FH. Acute abdominal pain. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11.
Seller RH, Symons AB. Abdominal pain in adults. In: Seller RH, Symons AB, eds. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 1.
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Anatomical landmarks adult – back - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult – back
illustration
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Anatomical landmarks adult - front - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult - front
illustration
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Anatomical landmarks adult - side - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult - side
illustration
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Anatomical landmarks adult – back - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult – back
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks adult - front - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult - front
illustration
-
Anatomical landmarks adult - side - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult - side
illustration
Review Date: 4/24/2023
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.