What should you know about right mid-flank pain?

Mid-flank pain is felt on the right side between the ribs and hip, often towards the back. A pulled muscle may hurt with movement, touch or a particular position. Kidney Stones can cause severe waves that move downwards, while Kidney Infection may cause a steadier ache with fever, chills, nausea or urinary symptoms. A Urinary Tract Infection can cause burning and frequency; flank pain alongside those symptoms deserves prompt review. The Flank Pain page explains the broader symptom.

Write down when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and whether you have fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in urine or difficulty passing urine. Avoid strenuous lifting until the cause is clearer. Arrange clinical advice for pain that persists, recurs or interferes with normal activity; assessment may include an examination and urine testing.

Seek urgent help for unbearable or rapidly worsening pain, fainting, confusion, repeated vomiting, inability to pass urine or significant blood in the urine. Fever or chills with right mid-flank pain should be assessed promptly. After a blow to the side, urgent review is appropriate when pain is severe or accompanied by weakness or dizziness.

Ask whether the symptoms fit a urinary or muscle cause, whether urine testing or imaging is suitable, and what warning signs should bring you back sooner.