Kidney stones are a common — and painful — problem for millions of Americans, affecting men just slightly more than women. While some smaller stones may pass on their own, others are too large or too stubborn to be eliminated without a little medical intervention.
There was a time not too long ago when surgery was the only way to dislodge large or “stuck” stones— but today, there’s a treatment option called shockwave lithotripsy that’s safe, effective, and nonsurgical. Here, the team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center explains how this state-of-the-art treatment helps eliminate stubborn kidney stones without requiring more invasive procedures.
Kidney stones form when minerals and other products “clump” together inside your kidneys. Some stones are small — so small, they may cause few or even no symptoms, passing during urination without any hint they were ever there.
On the other hand, larger stones frequently cause symptoms like intense belly or flank pain, nausea, and fever, often requiring medical treatment to help them pass from your body. That’s when shockwave lithotripsy can help.
Also known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), shockwave lithotripsy uses concentrated soundwaves to target stones and break them into smaller fragments so they can pass through your urine stream — and out of your body — naturally. These soundwaves penetrate your skin painlessly, eliminating the need for surgery and its potential complications.
ESWL is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home the same day. Depending on your individual needs, we use sedation, local numbing medication, or general anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure.
During treatment, imaging technology helps pinpoint the exact location of your kidney stone for precise treatment. Once the stone is located, the ESWL device sends bursts of energy directly to the stone, breaking it into much smaller pieces. Both the intensity and timing of the wave pulses can be completely adjusted for your specific needs. Most treatments take about an hour.
After your ESWL treatment, you'll spend a short time in a recovery area while the effects of anesthesia or sedation wear off. You’ll need someone to drive you home afterward, and you’ll need to avoid driving for the rest of the day, too.
Since ESWL doesn't require incisions, recovery is generally quick and straightforward. While it’s important to rest afterward, it’s not uncommon to return to light activities the same day and resume your regular routine within a day or two.
You’ll need to drink plenty of fluids to encourage urination and help the tiny stone fragments pass through your urinary tract. Mild soreness and even a little blood in your urine are typical aftereffects that tend to happen once the tiny stone fragments shift and move. Usually, these symptoms last only a few days, and soreness can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Shockwave lithotripsy can be a great choice for eliminating painful kidney stones without surgery. That said, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Before recommending ESWL, our team reviews your medical history and other individual factors to make sure it’s right for you.
To learn more about shockwave lithotripsy or to find out what you can do to prevent stones in the future, request an appointment online or on the phone at our practice locations in Cypress and Houston, Texas, today.
