A person with flank pain has discomfort on one side of the back, below the ribcage and above the pelvis. Flank pain may be caused by a variety of conditions, but it is often caused by problems with the kidneys, ureters, or bladder.

Characteristics of flank pain that may represent a serious condition include:

• Severe pain
• Sharp or stabbing pain in the flank
• Pain is not related to body movement
• Pain travels to testicle in the male or labia in the female
• Pain is associated with:
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever
• Blood in the urine