Can left-sided pain under the ribs be linked to spleen or kidney problems?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain on the left side under the ribs can signal issues with the spleen or left kidney, including splenic infarction, splenic torsion, kidney infections, or kidney stones. Other possible causes include pancreatitis, gastritis, muscle strain, or cardiac-related conditions. Because the symptoms can overlap across serious and minor conditions, self-diagnosing is difficult and often inaccurate.

The smartest next step is to clarify what your symptoms may mean before deciding whether to see a doctor, visit urgent care, or monitor at home. A free, AI-powered symptom check takes about 3 minutes, asks personalized follow-up questions, and provides possible causes along with recommended next steps—helping you act quickly and confidently.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/21/2026

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Explanation

Pain on the left side under the ribs can indeed be linked to issues with the spleen or kidneys. Splenic Problems: The spleen can sometimes have an accessory (extra) part that can twist, leading to pain. This is known as torsion of an accessory spleen, which can cause acute pain as noted in the medical literature. Kidney Problems: Kidney issues like infarctions, which are blockages that cut off blood flow, can also cause pain in this area. Infarctions can affect both the spleen and kidneys, often linked to conditions like atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat.

Key Points:

Accessory Spleen Torsion: This condition can cause sudden pain due to twisting of an extra spleen part.
Infarctions: These occur when blood supply is blocked, affecting the spleen or kidneys and causing pain.

If you experience such pain, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis. You can start by taking a free symptom checker test to help identify potential causes and understand when to seek medical care.

(References)

Sanabria Greciano L, Fernández Alfonso A, Peinado Iribar B, Cano Alonso R, Álvarez Vázquez A, & Martínez de Vega Fernández V. (2025). Accessory spleen torsion: a hidden etiology of acute .... BJR case reports, 40735167.
Weber E, Grangeon F, Reynaud Q, Hot A, Sève P, Jardel S, et al. (2020). Acute renal and splenic infarctions: a review. QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians, 31593227.
Argiris A. (1997). Splenic and renal infarctions complicating atrial fibrillation. The Mount Sinai journal of medicine, New York, 9293737.

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