Flank Pains Caused by Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease is a common hereditary renal disorder and it is characterized by numerous fluid-filled sacs in the kidneys. These cysts will grow along with age and with the continuous enlargement and increase if the cysts, there will be a series of symptoms and complications including pain in the back or sides, kidney stone, blood in urine, hypertension, headache, diverticulosis, etc.

Back pain and flank pain is the first symptom and sign in most PKD cases and it can be persistent or paroxysmal and will be worsened after strenuous activities or over-tiredness.

Why polycystic kidney disease will cause flank pain?

Since the cysts will experience gradual enlargement and they will stretch the renal capsule and oppress surrounding renal tissues and other organs. In such cases, the pain is dull and chronic. Other possible causes of flank pain are cyst rupture, kidney stones or urinary tract obstruction or infections or renal cell carcinoma, etc.

1. Cystic rupture and cyst bleeding. Since the cysts will continue to enlarge and they will be oppressed at the same time of oppressing other tissues and organs, therefore the cysts are easy to rupture in case of physical traumas, infections, strenuous activities, etc.

2. Kidney stones. Kidney stone is one of the common complications of PKD. If the stone is small, it might pass through the ureter with urination and cut the blood vessels and cause sharp flank pain. And if the stone is large, it might obstruct the flow of urine causing swelling of the kidney and severe back pain and flank pain.

In addition, urinary tract infection, urinary tract obstruction or large liver cyst can all cause flank pain.

In case of flank pain, patients should stop work and have adequate bed rest and seek proper and timely treatments to avoid further aggravation of kidney functions.