Which doctor treats flank pain? | Flank pain left

Which doctor treats flank pain?

Flank pain can usually first be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner or an internist. Rarely are organic diseases as underlying triggers behind the pain, which make further treatment by a specialist necessary. If necessary, extended diagnostics by a radiologist and treatment monitoring by liver, lung or kidney specialists and, if necessary, surgeons are required. The general practitioner first initiates the first therapy and can, if necessary, issue a referral to a specialist.

Duration of flank pain

No general statement can be made about the duration of flank pain on the left. They can occur very briefly, for example due to a wrong movement, or they can also be present over a longer period of time, for example in vertebral joint arthrosis or tension.

Prognosis of left flank pain

The prognosis for flank pain on the left is good because most of the underlying causes are rather harmless and easily treatable.However, in the case of flank pain on the left side caused by osteoarthritis, the therapy may include the permanent intake of painkillers, because the cause (osteoarthritis) is difficult to treat. Kidney tumors as a serious cause of left flank pain are quite rare. Only 2% of all cancers affect the kidneys.

Left flank pain when lying down

Flank pain, which occurs only after lying down for a long time, typically comes from the spine, which is excessively loaded by remaining in one position for a long time at this point and reacts to this with a pain stimulus. This can be remedied by regularly changing the lying position. If this remains without success, an examination of the spine is advisable.

Left and right flank pain

Flank pain on both sides is a typical symptom of glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys. Affected patients have severe pain in the left and right flanks. Inflammation of the pancreas is also possible. The pain is not only found in the flanks but also in the upper abdomen. Diseases of the spine and back muscles can also be the cause of bilateral flank pain.