Lower right back pain can come from muscle strain, kidney stones, or kidney infection. See a doctor if it comes with fever or urinary symptoms.
Common causes
- Muscle strain.
- Kidney stone.
- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
- Appendicitis (can refer pain).
- Sciatica.
- Ovarian cyst in women.
Kidney clues
Pain in the flank, fever, painful urination, blood in urine.
See a doctor
If you have fever, urinary symptoms or severe pain.
Emergency
Severe pain with fever or vomiting.
Kidney and urinary causes
- Kidney stones: sharp, colicky pain in the flank that moves to the groin, often with nausea and blood in urine. About 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone in their lifetime.
- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis): flank pain, fever, chills, nausea and painful urination.
- Urinary tract infection spreading upward.
Digestive causes
- Appendicitis: pain starting near the navel and moving to the lower right abdomen, with fever and loss of appetite. It is an emergency.
- Constipation or gas.
- Hernia.
- Colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Musculoskeletal causes
- Muscle strain or spasm.
- Sciatica or pinched nerve.
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
- Herniated disc.
- Poor posture.
Women’s health
Ovarian cysts, ovarian torsion, endometriosis or ectopic pregnancy can cause pain on the right side.
Other
Shingles (burning pain with a rash on one side), spinal conditions and aneurysm.
Home care
- Rest, heat and gentle stretching.
- Over the counter pain relief.
- Drink fluids.
Clues for kidney problems
Pain under the ribs at the back, radiating to the side or groin, blood in urine, fever, urinary changes.
See a doctor if
Pain lasts more than a few days, is severe, comes with fever, blood in urine, numbness or weakness.
Emergency
Call 911 or go to the ER for sudden severe pain, pain with fever and vomiting, a rigid abdomen, fainting, chest pain or suspected appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy.
Differential by organ
Pain in the lower right back can come from muscles and the spine, kidney stones or infection, appendix problems, ovarian cysts or endometriosis, or sacroiliac joint problems. About 80 percent of adults have back pain at some point, according to the NIH, and most episodes improve within a few weeks.
Warning signs
Seek urgent help for fever with flank pain, blood in urine, severe pain that comes in waves, pain with vomiting, numbness in the legs or loss of bladder or bowel control. Appendicitis often begins near the belly button and moves to the lower right abdomen. Home care for muscle strain includes heat, gentle walking and over the counter pain relievers as directed on the label.
Based on data from the NIH and the Mayo Clinic
