Will kidney stones cause back pain?

Kidney stones are a relatively serious disease. Patients experience lower abdominal pain that cannot be relieved. Lithotripsy is generally used for treatment. However, in daily life, we are bound to encounter various problems, which are not necessarily caused by kidney stones. Therefore, we need to understand our own bodies. If corresponding symptoms appear, we should go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time. So, will kidney stones cause lower back pain?

1. Asymptomatic

Small stones with smooth surfaces can be excreted in the urine without causing obvious symptoms. Stones that are fixed in the renal pelvis or lower renal calyx and are not infected may also not cause any symptoms. Even large staghorn stones may not cause obvious symptoms for a long time, or may only cause mild discomfort or soreness in the kidney area, if they do not cause obstruction or infection of the renal calyx or renal pelvis.

2. Pain

(1) Distending pain or dull pain is mainly caused by large stones compressing, rubbing or causing water accumulation in the renal pelvis or calyx.

(2) Colic is caused by smaller stones moving in the renal pelvis or ureter, irritating the ureter and causing spasm. The pain often occurs suddenly, starting from the back, waist or ribs, radiating along the ureter to the lower abdomen, inner thighs, and vulva, and may be accompanied by difficulty urinating, nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, etc.

3. Hematuria

Hematuria is often accompanied by pain. Sometimes the patient has no pain, only hematuria or very little blood that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Physical examinations usually include a urine test, and the sediment after centrifugation of the urine is examined under a microscope. If an excessive number of red blood cells is seen, it means hematuria, which is sometimes an early sign of kidney stones.

4. History of stone removal

When pain and hematuria occur, sand or small stones may be excreted in the urine. When the stone passes through the urethra, there is blockage of urine flow and a stinging sensation in the urethra. After the stone is excreted, the urine flow immediately resumes and the patient feels relaxed and comfortable.

5. Symptoms of infection

When combined with infection, pyuria may occur, and during acute attacks, there may be symptoms of chills, fever, back pain, frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating.

6. Renal insufficiency

Obstruction caused by kidney stones on one side may cause hydronephrosis and progressive renal function decline on that side; obstruction caused by bilateral kidney stones or solitary kidney stones may develop into renal insufficiency.

7. Urinary retention

Bilateral renal stones causing urinary tract obstruction on both sides, solitary kidney or only functional kidney stone obstruction may cause urinary retention, and reflex urinary retention may occur on the other side if one side is obstructed by a renal stone.

8. Lumbar mass

When severe hydronephrosis is caused by stone obstruction, a mass may be felt in the waist or upper abdomen.