Flank pain

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Overview	Treatment

Flank pain

Definition

Flank pain refers to pain in one side of the body between the 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, blood in the urine, or frequent or urgent urination, then a kidney problem is the likely cause.

Causes

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


Anatomical landmarks, back view


Anatomical landmarks, front view


Anatomical landmarks, side view

Review Date: 1/22/2007
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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