Is kidney stone pain located in the back?

Urinary stones may cause back pain, but this is not a direct effect. Urinary stones mainly cause urinary tract obstruction and infection, leading to poor urine flow and urinary retention, which increases the pressure on the bladder wall. Symptoms may include severe pain in the waist or flank, which can radiate to the back, lower abdomen, or inner thighs.

Urinary stones are solid crystalline formations in the urinary system, commonly found in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. When stones move, especially through the narrow ureter, they can cause severe colicky pain. The resulting pressure changes can be transmitted along nerve pathways to the spinal cord and then cause a sensation of back pain through reflex mechanisms.

If a patient experiences persistent or severe back pain accompanied by symptoms such as hematuria, nausea, or vomiting, the possibility of urinary tract stones should be considered, and immediate medical evaluation and treatment are recommended.