Can kidney stones cause back pain?

Kidney stones are a common urinary system disease formed by the abnormal deposition of minerals and salts in the kidneys, which may cause back pain; however, this depends on the stone's size.

Kidney stones vary in size and shape—ranging from tiny grains of sand to sizes large enough to fill the entire renal pelvis. They may be located in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. When these stones move within the kidneys or enter the ureter, they can irritate or block the urinary tract, obstructing urine outflow and consequently causing back pain. As the stones move or attempt to pass through the ureter, they can stimulate surrounding nerves, causing pain. This pain typically begins on one side of the back or abdomen and may radiate downward to the lower abdomen and inner thigh. The pain may present as sudden, severe episodes or as persistent dull aching.

In addition to back pain, kidney stones may be accompanied by other symptoms such as hematuria (blood in urine), nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination. If stones remain untreated for a prolonged period, they may lead to serious complications such as hydronephrosis (kidney swelling) and impaired kidney function. If diagnosed with kidney stones, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy may be performed under medical guidance to help alleviate symptoms.