Definition of Flank pain:

Flank pain refers to pain in one side of the body between the upper abdomen and the back.

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.

See also: Kidney stones

Common Causes:

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