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What Causes Dull Pain In Lower Back And Tenderness In Lower Abdomen?

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015

Question: I am avid weightlifter and my job requires daily bending over and the waist and pouring 40lb containers of gasoline into the gound after inspections anywhere from 18-60 times a day. About a month ago after doing a new exercise, a overhead press with a bent snatch, a day or so later I noticed a dull achy pain in my right lower back right above the hip and moved up under the rib cage. I also noticed tenderness in the right flank region and through the right lower abdomen. I noticed that it flares up right after a workout or working and goes and comes throughout the day mostly while driving or sitting. Heat and laying down help it and also ice... I have taken Lortab for it and it helps some and have taken a skeletal muscle relaxer and it seems to help for a few hours.. the pain is dull crampy achy on the right side and has gone to the left side but doesn't stay long.. I have no fever, no cloudy or problems urinating or bowel movements. The tenderness/pain on the right flank is only to the pressing touch and I have pressing touch pain in the lower back near the spine and about 2-4 inches from the spine. There is no pain in the abdomen
I had my Kidney and liver functions checked in SEPTEMBER of 2014 and all level were optimal.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are having back muscle spasm

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and i think you are having mechanical type of back pain.This is common in weight lifters, drivers. This is due to continuous pressure on back muscles. This causes spasm of the muscles.I would suggest you following advise.
1.Get x ray of the lumbar spine. It will show us if there is anything abnormal with your spine.
2.You need to stop weight lifting for at least one month.
3.Meet a physio and start back muscle strengthening exercises. You need to extension group of exercises.
3.Take muscle relaxant like Myoril for fifteen days at least and not off and on.
4.Avoid very soft bed.Keep a watch on your posture when you are sitting for long time.
5.Volitran ointment after hot water fomentation.
Back pain needs time to heal.Because it is caused by multiple factors and need life style modifications.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there is any other follow up question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (14 minutes later)

Thanks for the quick reply doc! The tenderness and slight pains in the lower right side adominal and flank considered normal with this type of injury? The XXXXXXX seems to help better then anything else but does not eliminate discomfort.

I have been to a chiropractor and had a few adjustments and most of the pain is right around the area's I described above.

Also sometimes going to the left side more then the right is that to be expected?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be due to side strain

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I admit that pain of back muscles should be more on back side, yet some time it can be in flanks. Also you might be having some amount of side strain.
I would suggest you to continue physiotherapy and rest. Your muscles need time to heal. If you will continue to do weight lifting then it will take more time.
I would also suggest you to avoid travelling and any other jerky activity for one month.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (40 hours later)

one last question doc. Is it normal for this to be worst during the early morning and come and go every 10-15 minutes during the day and night? It sometime goes from the right side to the left but mainly right side.. and the feeling has always been crampy/light achy feel. There are no pains in the flank or abdomen anymore its just sore to the touch or tender to the pressing... I can tell the muscle relaxer gives it a 15-20% pain decrease for about 2 hours... Pain medication really doesn't help. Sometimes sitting in a good chair helps but riding makes it worst it seems... I have not lifted anything heavy in 5 days now. I was worried about kidneys but my GFR was excellent/optimal when I had blood work in September..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Does not look like kidney problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
After studying your case It does not look like that you are having kidney problem. Back muscle spasm causes shifting pain.
You should continue same line of treatment, you will need to take rest and muscle relaxant.
If you want to check your kidney functions, I would recommend you to get a ultrasound.
Let me know if you want to ask any further questions.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (15 hours later)

Thanks for all your help doc, the muscle relaxants seem to be helping a lot, last evening they had cut my discomfort by 50% or more. how long does a injury like this usually take to heal?

one last question.. how long after initial blood work like GFR or BUN and creatinine stay the same without any environmental changes, I know that is a difficult question but am inquring to see what is the lifespan of bloodwork as far routine checks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Injury will heal in 2 weeks if you do rest

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I think your injury will heal in two more weeks. You need to continue rest and medicines. As far as kidney tests are concerned , they do not change in six months. And kidney has huge reserve, so even if one kidney stop functioning these test does not show. So ultrasound is good test for kidney. I do not think that kidney is problematic in your case.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar