Numerous conditions can cause lower right-side back pain. According to MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health, back pain affects about 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. Structures in the lower right side of the back can generate lower right-side back pain, or the pain can be referred from structures in the abdomen and other parts of the body. Some conditions causing lower right-side back pain may require medical intervention.
Lumbar Vertebra Fracture
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, spinal fractures are serious injuries that may lead to life-threatening complications. The most common locations for spinal fractures are the thoracic spine or midback and the lumbar spine or lower back. Most lumbar vertebrae fractures are caused by high-energy trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a great height. Possible signs and symptoms associated with a lumbar vertebra fracture include extreme back pain that's made worse by movement, numbness, tingling and weakness in one or both lower extremities and changes in bowel or bladder function. Because significant forces are required to fracture a lumbar vertebra, other co-existing injuries may also be present, such as head and brain injuries.
Lipoma
MayoClinic.com states that a lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty deposit that's often found between a person's skin and her underlying muscle. Lipomas are usually easy to identify due to their spongy consistency and their ease of movement under the skin. Most lipomas are not tender to the touch. In many cases, a person will have more than one lipoma. According to MayoClinic.com, lipomas can occur throughout the lifespan, although they are most common among middle-aged individuals. Lipomas are usually located in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs. Although lipomas are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause pain if they grow and compress nearby nerves or blood vessels. Risk factors for developing a lipoma include age--between 40 and 60--and the presence of other health conditions, such as Madelung disease, Cowden syndrome and Gardner syndrome.
Gallstones
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, gallstones are pebble-like substances that form in a person's gallbladder. Gallstones develop when the liquid stored in the gallbladder--called bile--hardens into round, stone-like objects. There are two principle types of gallstones: cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are yellow-green in color while pigment stones are darker colored stones. Common signs and symptoms of gallstones include right-sided back pain; a steady, unrelenting pain in the abdomen that increases in intensity over a period of several hours; nausea and vomiting; and fever or chills. The NIDDK states that many people with gallstones experience no symptoms at all. Gallbladder attacks usually occur after a person eats a high-fat meal.
