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What Causes Persistent Pain In The Mid-back Area
Question: I have sharp pain in the left middle back area. it is never super painful but always there and painful if I press on it. its right at the bottom of the rib cage on the back left. I have had a lot of symptoms , such as fluid in both knees, heart palpitations, chest pain, weight loss and fatigue. have done a lot of tests to look for stuff but that pain has been there for almost a month. I was curious if this is liver and or kidney pain? If it is what tests can be done to check for a liver or kidney problem other then blood tests?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis between different causes that may lead to your symptomatology:
1- A musculo-skeletal pain related to inflammation. The fact that your back pain is triggered by palpation and its characteristics (sharp pain), coupled with the fact that you have fluid accumulation in both knees (possible arthritis), may indicate possible inflammation in this region.
For this reason, I would recommend performing a chest X ray study, a thoraco-lumbar X Ray study and tests for inflammation (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate). A chest CT scan may be needed too.
2- A kidney disorder, like kidney stones. Your pain is not typical of renal stones, but the fact that pressing on this region exacerbates the pain could be a sign of renal stones too. In such case, besides renal function tests, it is necessary performing an urine analysis and an abdominal ultrasound.
I would exclude any cardiac disorders possibly related to your symptomatogy.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis between different causes that may lead to your symptomatology:
1- A musculo-skeletal pain related to inflammation. The fact that your back pain is triggered by palpation and its characteristics (sharp pain), coupled with the fact that you have fluid accumulation in both knees (possible arthritis), may indicate possible inflammation in this region.
For this reason, I would recommend performing a chest X ray study, a thoraco-lumbar X Ray study and tests for inflammation (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate). A chest CT scan may be needed too.
2- A kidney disorder, like kidney stones. Your pain is not typical of renal stones, but the fact that pressing on this region exacerbates the pain could be a sign of renal stones too. In such case, besides renal function tests, it is necessary performing an urine analysis and an abdominal ultrasound.
I would exclude any cardiac disorders possibly related to your symptomatogy.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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