What are the potential causes of right flank pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Right flank pain—discomfort on the right side of your body between the ribs and hip—can have several causes. The most common include:

Kidney stones: hard mineral deposits that trigger sharp, cramping pain as they move through the urinary tract.
Kidney infections (pyelonephritis): bacterial infections often accompanied by fever, nausea, and painful urination.
Muscle strains: overuse or sudden movements that inflame the muscles along your side or back.

Less common causes include gallbladder issues, appendicitis, or shingles. Because symptoms overlap, identifying the exact cause on your own can be difficult.

If you're experiencing right flank pain, the smartest next step is to get clarity fast. A symptom check is free, takes just a few minutes, and uses your specific symptoms to help you understand possible causes and decide whether to see a doctor. Don't guess—get informed answers now.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Common causes of right flank pain include:

Kidney stones (renal calculi) - hard mineral deposits that cause severe, sharp pain
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) - especially if they spread to the kidneys
Muscle strain or injury - from physical activity or improper lifting
Shingles - a viral infection causing painful skin rash
Gallbladder problems - including gallstones or inflammation

Keep track of any other symptoms like changes in your urine, fever, or nausea. If you're experiencing right flank pain and want to better understand what might be causing it, try our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential conditions. If the pain is severe or does not go away, you should talk with a doctor.

(References)

Bueschen AJ. Flank Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 182.
Feit L, John D, Delgado Torres N, Sinert R. Flank pain and hematuria is not always a kidney stone. Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Feb;40:225.e1-225.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.07.046. Epub 2020 Jul 24. PMID: 32958382.
Patti L, Leslie SW. Acute Renal Colic. [Updated 2024 Dec 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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