Flank pain

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Anatomical landmarks, back view


Anatomical landmarks, front view


Anatomical landmarks, side view

Overview	Treatment

Flank pain

Definition

Flank pain refers to pain in the side of the trunk between the right or left upper abdomen and the back.

Alternative Names

Pain - side; Side pain

Considerations

Flank pain often means kidney trouble. If flank pain is accompanied by fever, chills, or urinary problems, then a kidney is the likely source.

One in seven people in the US has kidney stones at some time. The pain from a kidney stone is agonizing, comes in sharp stabbing waves or spasms, and usually radiates into the groin.

Causes

Kidney problems
- Acute pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- Kidney stone
- Kidney abscess
Shingles (flank pain with one-sided rash)
Spinal arthritis
Disk disease
Muscle spasm

Review Date: 5/4/2003
Reviewed By: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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