What Can Cause Pain In Lower Back Right Side

Lower Right Back Pain From Internal Organs

There are numerous possible sources of lower right back pain in the organs of the mid-back, abdominal, or pelvic regions. Pain may start following inflammation or irritation of an internal organ, or may be a sign of infection. These conditions will usually produce other symptoms with lower right back pain that more specifically narrow down the source.

Several common internal causes of lower right back pain include:

More Advanced Care Options

Surgery When other therapies fail, surgery may be considered to relieve pain caused by worsening nerve damage, serious musculoskeletal injuries, or nerve compression. Specific surgeries are selected for specific conditions/indications. However, surgery is not always successful. It may be months following surgery before the person is fully healed and there may be permanent loss of flexibility. Surgical options include:

Implanted nerve stimulators

• Spinal cord stimulation uses low-voltage electrical impulses from a small implanted device that is connected to a wire that runs along the spinal cord. The impulses are designed to block pain signals that are normally sent to the brain.
• Dorsal root ganglion stimulation also involves electrical signals sent along a wire connected to a small device that is implanted into the lower back. It specifically targets the nerve fibers that transmit pain signals. The impulses are designed to replace pain signals with a less painful numbing or tingling sensation.
• Peripheral nerve stimulation also uses a small implanted device and an electrode to generate and send electrical pulses that create a tingling sensation to provide pain relief.

Possible Causes Of Pain On Your Right Side

According to information published in the American Academy of Family Physicians, abdominal pain can be a manifestation of many conditions, ranging from benign diseases to surgical emergencies. Thus, and according to this same entity, the location of the pain is a useful starting point for further evaluation.

Considering what we mentioned above, you should bear in mind that pain on your right side may involve different problems associated with the organs of this region. Therefore, once your doctor evaluates your pain, they should suggest additional diagnostic tests. Below, we review some possible causes of pain on your right side.

You May Like: When Should I Go To The Doctor For Back Pain

Lung Pain Related Causes:

• Lung disease: There are a number of lung conditions that can cause pain under your right rib cage. The pain is most noticeable when breathing in. Pleurisy, caused when fluid builds up between the layers of tissue that cover the lungs, is one example. Pleurisy can be the result of a lung infection, rheumatoid arthritis, or even a rib fracture.
• Pneumonia: This usually leads to sharp, stabbing chest pains that get worse when breathing in deeply. Depending on which lung is affected, you could have pain under the right rib cage.
• Lung cancer: May cause aches and pain in the chest area or shoulders. Although it doesnt happen in all cases of lung cancer, some people do experience discomfort under the right rib cage.

Appendicitis: The appendix is a part of the intestine on the right lower side of the abdomen. If it becomes infected and inflamed, it can cause right side pain.

Tuberculosis: The dangerous bacterial infection known as tuberculosis is contagious and can spread to the spine and brain. In the 20th century, TB was a leading cause of death in the United States. Thankfully, there is a cure for TB.

Peritonitis: The peritoneum is a double-layered sac that houses most of our abdominal organs. Inflammation of this sac is dubbed peritonitis.Shingles: An infection of nerve and skin surface caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has recovered from a case of chickenpox has the potential to get shingles.

The Right Kidney And Ureter Pain

The right kidney and right ureter condition manifest with right loin pain. The right loin pain commonly spreads to the right mid-back.

Causes:

• Infections of the kidney and urinary tract.
• Kidney inflammation.
• Rarely, kidney tumors.

Symptoms :

• Right loin pain: the loin is the area between your ribs and hip. It is the typical site of right kidney and ureter pain.
• The pain can spread to the mid-back at the right side. Also, ureteric pain spreads to the right groin.
• Sudden onset: Food or movement DOESNT trigger renal colics.
• Intense colic that lasts for minutes to few hours.
• Sudden offset: the pain is relieved entirely after the attack. It tends to recure again.
• Movement doesnt decrease either increase the intensity of pain.
• It is associated with intense nausea. Vomiting also occurs with severe pain.
• Change in urine color .

The causes listed below are either rare or rarely spreads to the mid-back at the right.

• Liver: liver inflammation , liver abscesses, or liver cancer.
• Cancers: liver cancer, kidney cancer, bone cancers, lung cancers, pleural cancer , colorectal cancer, abdominal lymphoma, and others.
• Painful skin lesions: painful skin lesion in the mid-back at the right side can cause pain. Also, a lipoma can cause pain when it is large enough.
• Colon pain: localized gas or colon diseases in the right colon can cause pain that spreads to the right mid-backfor example, trapped gas, irritable bowel syndrome, IBD, and colorectal cancer.

Recommended Reading: Can Dehydration Cause Lower Back Pain

What Organs Can Cause Lower Back Pain

February 12, 2021 By Olivia Pryor

Lower back pain is most commonly associated with problems of the spine, but did you know that inflammation and other problems with your internal organs can also cause back pain? This type of pain usually affects one side of the back, near where the organ is located.

Irritation, inflammation, or infection of any of the organs in the central, abdominal, or pelvic region can produce lower back pain. Lets talk about some of the main organs that can cause this pain, and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment:

Preventing Lower Back Pain On The Right Side

Many cases of back pain that occurs on the lower right side can be prevented. This is particularly true if your lower right side back pain stems from one of the four main causes that I explained above.

Here are three easy things you can do to ward off back pain and problems:

Check your posture: Always keep an upright position while walking and sitting.

Lift with care: Youve heard it 1,000 times but its important. Always lift by bending at the knees while lifting heavy objects. Never from the waist!

Exercise regularly: Studies have shown time and time again that keeping active keeps all kinds of aches and pains away not just back pain.

Key takeaway: To prevent right side back pain flare-ups, practice good posture, take care when lifting heavy objects and get regular exercise.

Also Check: Can Urgent Care Help With Back Pain

The Worst Back Pain Is Rarely The Scariest

People understandably assume that the worst back pain is the scariest. In fact, pain intensity is a poor indicator of back pain ominousness,6 and some of the worst causes are actually the least painful . Pain intensity is a poor indicator of back pain ominousness & some of the worst causes are actually the least painful.For instance, someone could experience the symptoms of cauda equinae syndrome, and be in real danger of a serious and permanent injury to their spine, but have surprisingly little pain even none at all in some cases!

Meanwhile, many non-dangerous problems can cause amazingly severe back pain. A muscle cramp is a good analogy just think about how painful a Charley horse is! Regardless of whats actually going on in there, muscle pain is probably the main thing that back pain patients are feeling. The phenomenon of trigger points tiny muscle cramps, basically7 could be the entire problem, or a complication thats more painful and persistent than the original problem. Its hard to overstate how painful trigger points can be, but they are not dangerous to anything but your comfort.

Can Back Pain Be Prevented

Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics may be prevented by avoiding movements that jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly. Many work-related injuries are caused or aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, contact stress , vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture.Recommendations for keeping ones back healthy

Read Also: What Causes Lower Back Pain On Your Left Side

Herniated Disk In The Lower Back

The backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between the bones are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. These disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. Although people talk about a slipped disk, nothing actually slips out of place. The outer shell of the disk ruptures, and the jelly-like substance bulges out. It may be pressing on a nerve, which is what causes the pain.A slipped disk is more likely to happen due to strain on the back, such as during heavy lifting, and older individuals are at higher risk.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: lower back pain, moderate back pain, back pain that shoots down the leg, back pain that gets worse when sitting, leg weakness

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Types Of Lower Back And Groin Pain:

1. Coming from your hip.

This type of groin pain is due to the hip referring pain into your groin. Often people feel deep groin pain which is originating from their hip. Because the hip is a relatively large joint it often refers pain into the lower back area and this can result in buttocks pain also. Treatment needs to be directed towards the hip joint in this instance. If you think that the cause of your pain is from your hip, then learn more about the causes of hip pain here.

2. Coming from your lumbar spine.

This type of groin pain is due to the lumbar spine referring pain into your groin. Each level of your spine refers through nerve connections to different parts of the body. It is your upper lumbar spine which will refer pain to your groin. You may or may not feel pain in the lower back also. Treatment needs to be directed towards the lower back in this instance. There are more articles on the causes of lower back pain here

3. Coming from your adductor muscles.

This type of groin pain is due to the location of the adductor muscles. When you strain or tear an adductor muscle or tendon you will feel pain anywhere from the midpoint of your inner thigh to deep under your pubic bone. Treatment needs to be directed to the damaged adductor muscle in this instance.

4. Coming from your sacro-iliac joint.

Also Check: How To Help Back Pain From Standing All Day

Facet Joint Pain And Spinal Arthritis

Facet joints are interconnecting joints located at the back of the spine collectively, they give the spine its integrity by limiting excessive movement. Each spinal level has a right and left facet joint. Facet joints are also known as zygapophysial joints.

Facet joints are often the site where bone spurs and other arthritic changes occur. Such changes tend to be related to wear and tear, and at any given level, may occur on one facet joint, but not the others. So when they develop on the right side, they may cause right side back pain.

Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, electrical sensations and/or weakness that travel down one extremity.

Kidney Pain Related Causes:

• Kidney stones: Large stones can become lodged and cause sharp pain under the right rib cage. Many people who experience this also feel back pain.
• Pyelonephritis: This is an infection of the kidney, likely due to bacteria entering the urinary tract. Bleeding in the kidney due to severe trauma or hydronephrosis, which is the accumulation of urine in the kidney, can also cause pain under the ribs.
• Polycystic kidney disease: The accumulation of small fluid-filled sacs in the kidney. Polycystic kidney disease has a genetic link.

Recommended Reading: What Causes Mid Back Pain On Left Side

Lower Right Back Pain From The Spinal Column

Pain sources in the spinal column may include any combination of the interconnected structures, such as the small facet joints that run along the back of the spine, the discs in each motion segment, and or the nerve roots that branch out on the right hand side of the spine at each segment.

Common lower back conditions that may present symptoms on the right hand side include:

• Lumbar Herniated Disc. A disc between two vertebrae may herniate on the right side of the spine, allowing the jelly-like inside to protrude or leak. A herniated disc may cause dull low back pain due to inflammation in the local area. Pain that radiates into the buttock and/or right leg is more common, but not always.
• Facet Joint Pain . Stiffness, discomfort, and local tenderness in the lower right back are possible symptoms of arthritis affecting the facet joints in the spine. In some cases, a nerve on the right side of the spine is compressed by an arthritic bone spur on the facet joint, and may lead to lower right hand side back pain and local tenderness.

• See Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

• Ankylosing Spondylitis. This inflammatory condition may originate in the lower sacroiliac joint, and early signs of ankylosing spondylitis may present as lower right back pain and/or right hip pain. Over a long period of time, ankylosing spondylitis may cause spinal joints and vertebrae to fuse together and limit motion in the spine.

  See more about ankylosing spondylitis on Arthritis-health.com

Medical Conditions That Cause Back Pain

Conditions that can cause back pain include:

• a slipped disc this can cause back pain and numbness, tingling and weakness in other parts of the body
• sciatica this can cause pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the lower back, buttocks, legs and feet
• ankylosing spondylitis this causes pain and stiffness that’s usually worse in the morning and improves with movement
• spondylolisthesis this can cause lower back pain and stiffness, as well as numbness and a tingling sensation

These conditions are treated differently to non-specific back pain.

Very rarely, back pain can be a sign of a serious problem such as:

• a broken bone in the spine
• an infection
• cauda equina syndrome
• some types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma

If you see a GP with back pain, they’ll look for signs of these.

Page last reviewed: 14 January 2020 Next review due: 14 January 2023

Recommended Reading: Who Should I Go See For Lower Back Pain

All The Red Flags For Ominous Causes Of Back Pain

Red flags are signs or symptoms that something medically ominous may be going on. A red flag is not a diagnosis. Red flags only indicate a need to look more closely. Check off all that apply hopefully none or few or only the least alarming of them!

Some of these red flags are much less red than others, especially depending on the circumstances. For instance, weight loss is common and often the sign of successful diet! Obviously, if you know of a harmless reason why you have a red flag symptom, it isnt really a red flag . But every single actual red flag in combination with severe low back pain thats been going on for several weeks is definitely a good reason to get yourself checked out.

Most people who check off an item or two will turn out not to have an ominous cause for their low back pain. But why not check?

Symptoms Of Right Side Pain

Depending on the exact cause of your pain, you may have various degrees of pain. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine exactly where the pain is coming from because pain from one area in the right side of your chest or abdomen can radiate to the back, stomach, or groin.

For example, flank pain or kidney pain very often starts with gnawing pains just below the ribs on the right. However, the waves of pain from a kidney infection can travel to the back, upper right shoulder, or groin. Also, kidney stones or gallbladder stones can cause sharp painful symptoms anywhere in the belly or pelvis.

Some digestive problems can cause discomfort and aches on the right side or left side of the abdomen. But, sometimes the excruciating pain that appendicitis causes often start with pain just below your belly button and gradually gets more intense as it moves to your lower right belly.

Sharp pains in your lower abdomen that are accompanied by nausea and vomiting and possibly a fever are usually the signs of infection in an organ like the kidneys, liver, or appendix.

You May Like: What Causes Lower Back Pain That Shoots Down Your Leg

When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider

• Can’t stand or walk
• Temperature over 101.0°F
• Chills
• Frequent, painful, or bloody urination
• Severe belly pain
• Pain or numbness in your leg
• Pain in a new area of your back
• The pain isnt decreasing after more than a week

• Pain radiating down the leg.
• Pain that is accompanied by fever or chills, leg weakness, or loss of control of the bladder or bowels.

Causes Of Pain On Your Right Side

08 February, 2021

Pain on your right side can occur for different reasons. Although some may not be serious, others may require immediate medical attention. Thus, its important to visit a doctor for an examination to rule out any serious problems.

Its important to remember that there are vital organs involved in digestion and urinary function in this area of the body. Therefore, you shouldnt rule out that the pain may be related to an alteration in these organs. In any case, if it occurs, youll have to be alert to other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or severe and prolonged pain.

If so, you should seek professional help as soon as possible. You should definitely avoid self-medicating or trying therapies that arent endorsed by your doctor. Doing so could worsen the problem. What are the most common causes of this medical condition?

Don’t Miss: What Is Better For Back Pain Ibuprofen Or Acetaminophen