Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside the kidney. They can be smooth or jagged and range from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball. Kidney stones are common and often painful, but the good news is they are almost always treatable. Serving patients across Western New York, our board certified urologists diagnose the size, location and type of stone and recommend the treatment that fits your case. If you are in pain right now, request an appointment or find the office nearest you.

Signs You May Have a Kidney Stone

Some people have kidney stones without realizing it. Symptoms usually appear once a stone begins moving through the ureter, where it can block the flow of urine. Watch for:

• Pain in the abdomen or the side of the back, often sharp and coming in waves
• Burning sensation or pain while urinating
• Increased frequency of urination
• Blood in the urine
• Fever and chills, which can signal an infection
• Nausea and vomiting

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment promptly. Without proper care, a blocked kidney stone can lead to a serious infection. Whether you are dealing with a new episode or have a history of kidney stones, our team can find the cause and build a plan to treat it and help prevent recurrence.

How We Diagnose Kidney Stones

Diagnosis typically starts with a review of your symptoms and a physical exam, followed by imaging such as a CT scan or ultrasound to locate the stone and determine its size. A urine test and sometimes bloodwork help identify what the stone is made of, which guides both treatment and prevention.

Kidney Stone Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the size, location and composition of the stone as well as your symptoms. Options we may recommend include:

Hydration Therapy

Small stones may pass on their own with increased fluid intake. We provide guidance on how much water to drink and what to watch for while a stone passes.

Medication

Certain medications can help dissolve specific stone types or relax the ureter to help a stone pass more easily. Medication is generally not recommended if you are in severe pain or if the stone is blocking part of the urinary tract.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

A non-invasive outpatient procedure in which focused shock waves break the stone into smaller pieces that are easier to pass. You lie on a treatment table while the machine targets the stone from outside the body.

Ureteroscopic Stone Removal

An outpatient procedure using a small scope passed through the urethra and bladder to locate the stone. A laser is often used to break it up before the fragments are removed.

Surgery

In rare or complex cases, surgical removal of the stone directly from the kidney may be necessary. This is generally reserved for very large stones or stones that have not responded to less invasive treatment.

What to Expect After Treatment

Recovery varies by procedure. After ESWL or ureteroscopy, most patients go home the same day, drink plenty of water to help clear residual fragments and may experience mild discomfort or blood in the urine for a few days. A temporary ureteral stent is sometimes placed after ureteroscopy to keep the ureter open while it heals and is removed at a short follow up visit. Your care team will give you written aftercare instructions and a direct number to call with questions. See our patient instructions for general pre and post procedure guidance.

Preventing Future Kidney Stones

Once you have had one kidney stone, you are at higher risk of forming another. Common prevention strategies include drinking enough water to keep urine light colored, reducing sodium intake, moderating animal protein and, for some patients, dietary or medication changes based on the composition of your stone. We can build a personalized prevention plan once we know what type of stone you formed.

Related Conditions

Kidney stone symptoms can overlap with other urinary conditions. Related pages you may find helpful include urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence and elevated PSA if you are also experiencing prostate symptoms.

Learn More

For additional information on kidney stones, the Urology Care Foundation offers patient friendly resources from the American Urological Association.

Schedule Your Consultation

You do not have to live with the pain of a kidney stone. Our urology clinics put your comfort and convenience first at every step of treatment. Request an appointment online or call the Great Lakes Urology office most convenient to you. We serve patients throughout all of Western New York.