Flank pain
Alternative names:
pain in the side; side pain
Home care:
Treatment depends on the cause. Follow your health care provider's instructions.
Rest, physical therapy, and exercise are recommended for flank pain caused by muscle spasm.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy may be prescribed for flank pain caused by spinal arthritis. Continue physical therapy exercises at home.
Call your health care provider if:
- there is flank pain accompanied by high fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.
- there is blood (red or brown color) in the urine.
- there is prolonged, unexplained flank pain.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. If the pain is related to an injury, the condition will be stabilized first.
Medical history questions documenting flank pain in detail may include: - location
- Is the pain on one side only (unilateral) or both sides?
- Which side?
- quality
- Is the pain mild?
- Is the pain periodic and changing intensity over minutes; crampy (colicky)?
- Is the pain severe enough to require narcotics?
- time pattern
- Did the pain begin recently?
- Has the pain been gradually getting worse over months?
- Did the pain rapidly get worse?
- radiation
- Does the pain go into your groin?
- Does the pain go into your back?
- Does the pain go up into your chest?
- associated complaints
- Does the pain occur with nausea or vomiting?
- What other symptoms are also present?
Fluid intake and output may be monitored and recorded.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to flank pain to your personal medical record.
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