Can Kidney Stones Cause Back Pain?

Kidney stones affect millions of people worldwide. These are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys when substances like oxalate, calcium, and uric acid crystallise in the urine. Small kidney stones often pass without symptoms, but large kidney stones cause intense back pain. Understanding why kidney stones trigger back pain and potential signs to recognise the symptoms can help people get timely medical aid.

How Kidney Stones Trigger Back Pain?

According to research published in NCBI, smaller kidney stones can pass through the urine without causing any pain or discomfort. Larger stones, on the other hand, can cause significant pain when they move from the kidney into the ureter, a narrow tube that passes urine from the kidney to the bladder. Large stones may collect in the ureter, blocking the urine and exerting added pressure on the kidney. This causes inflammation and spasms of the urinary tract, leading to severe back pain, also called renal colic.

Where Exactly Is The Pain Felt?

Kidney stone pain commonly starts in the upper back area and may radiate to the abdomen as the kidney stone travels downward.

According to a PubMed Central study, unlike ordinary back pain, kidney stone back pain often comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity. A person may experience sudden, excruciating pain that aggravates and subsides with the movement of the kidney stone in the urinary tract.
Another way to differentiate kidney stone-triggered back pain from normal back pain is that it won’t subside with posture change or rest.

Kidney Stone Back Pain Vs Normal Back Pain

Types of Kidney Stones: Which Ones Could Cause Discomfort?

Kidney stones vary in size and composition, and not all stones cause symptoms. Apart from size, there are other distinguishing factors of kidney stones based on their formulation.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, common types of kidney stones include:

• Calcium stones: These are the most common type of kidney stones, formed from calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate.
• Uric acid stones: These stones are formed when urine becomes too acidic. These stones are often caused by dehydration or high-protein diets.
• Struvite stones: These types of kidney stones are often associated with urinary tract infections. These can grow rapidly and become quite large in a short time.
• Cystine stones: These stones are rare and are caused by a genetic disorder that leads to excessive cystine in the urine.

Regardless of type, discomfort occurs when a stone obstructs urine flow or irritates the urinary tract lining while moving through it.
Interestingly, stones that remain stationary in the kidney may cause little or no pain.

Why Kidney Stones Affect Your Back

The answer lies in the location of the kidneys.

The kidneys sit high in the abdomen toward the back of the body, just below the rib cage on either side of the spine. Therefore, pain originating from these organs is felt in the upper back region.

Research published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International highlights that when kidney stones cause inflammation or irritation in the kidney or ureter, nearby nerves transmit pain signals, causing back pain. In severe cases, the pain and discomfort may spread to the abdomen, pelvis, or groin, particularly when the stone passes through the urinary tract.
Another reason for back pain due to kidney stones is an inflammatory response. When the stone creates a blockage, it may increase pressure on the kidney, which can spread to surrounding tissues and produce intense pain.

How To Prevent Pain From Recurring?

Preventing recurring kidney stone back pain should be a combination of lifestyle modifications, dietary changes and medication, if prescribed by your doctor. The recurrence rate for kidney stones is as high as 50% at five years and 80–90% at 10 years, as per research published in Science Direct.

Key prevention strategies to prevent recurrence include increasing fluid intake, limiting sodium intake, reducing consumption of animal protein, moderating oxalate-rich foods in the diet, and managing a healthy BMI.

How To Treat Back Pain Due To Kidney Stones

Treating and managing kidney stone back pain involves:

• Taking NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) or acetaminophen
• Taking heat therapy

It is advised to consult a doctor before starting any treatment to avoid any complications. Additionally, you must learn to distinguish between normal back pain and kidney stone back pain.

When to See A Doctor

Although small kidney stones are highly likely to pass on their own, medical assessment is crucial if you experience potential symptoms. You must get immediate medical aid if back pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Pain or burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills

These symptoms may indicate infection or complication. If a person exhibits these symptoms, they must seek urgent medical treatment. Untreated kidney stones can worsen the condition and may cause kidney damage over time.

Conclusion
Summing up, kidney stones can indeed cause back pain, particularly when they obstruct the urinary tract or move through the ureter. It is important to recognise the pattern and frequency of pain to get timely treatment for preventing further complications. Watch out for other symptoms of kidney stones, along with back pain, and consult a doctor immediately to resolve the problem promptly.