The pain may be a sign of infection, a kidney stone or something else completely.

What is kidney pain?

Kidney pain, or renal pain, is usually felt in your back (under the ribs, to the right or left of the spine). It can spread to other areas, like the sides, abdomen or groin.

What causes kidney pain?

Kidneys drain urine to the bladder via tubes called ureters. Your bladder is emptied via the urethra. Problems in any of these areas can cause pain, and may be caused by:

• kidney stones
• kidney infection
• other types of kidney disease.

Check your symptoms with healthdirect’s Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.

Back pain due to muscle problems is usually in your lower back. Pain due to kidney problems is usually deeper and higher in your back, under your ribs. Signs that it is a kidney problem can also include fever, vomiting, pain in your sides or painful urination.

Pain around your kidneys can also be caused by other problems, such as:

• problems with your spine or ribs
• muscle pain
• pneumonia
• a problem with your spleen or your liver
• a hernia.

Kidney pain diagnosis

To diagnose pain in your kidney area, your doctor will talk to you and examine you. You may also be asked to have:

• blood test
• urine tests
• an ultrasound.

The Australian College of Emergency Medicine recommends that a computed tomography (CT) scan may not always be necessary to diagnose kidney stones. Ask your doctor if a CT scan is necessary for you. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

Kidney pain treatment

Treatment depends on the cause, the severity of the pain and how sick you are feeling.

You may find the pain eases with simple treatments like paracetamol. Talk to your doctor and your pharmacist.

If you have pain that you are worried may be caused by a kidney problem, please see your doctor.

You should also see your doctor if you have a pain in the back along with any of the following:

• discoloured urine, painful urination or blood in your urine
• feeling that you need to urinate urgently
• a temperature
• the appearance of gravel (small kidney stones) in your urine
• feeling unwell.