Overview
Urinary stones form when certain substances in the urine crystallise and clump together. Small stones can pass in the urine without symptoms, while others can cause severe pain, block the flow of urine or lead to infection.
Stone disease can recur, so advice on reducing stone formation is an important part of care alongside treatment.
When to seek a consultation
- Pain in the side or back that may spread to the groin
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent or painful urination
- Having passed a stone before
- A stone found by chance on imaging
Assessment
Assessment may include a discussion of your symptoms and medical history, a physical examination, urine and blood tests and imaging such as ultrasound or CT. For recurring stones, stone analysis and further metabolic tests may be recommended.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the size, position and number of stones, the symptoms they cause and your general health. Options may include:
- Monitoring and medication to help a stone pass
- Shock-wave lithotripsy from outside the body (ESWL)
- Endoscopic procedures using a thin instrument passed through the urinary tract (ureteroscopy)
- For large kidney stones, procedures that reach the kidney through a small incision in the skin
Not every stone needs a procedure; the suitable option is discussed based on the examination and test results.
Benefits, limitations and risks
Each method has possible benefits, limitations and risks. These include fragments remaining, the need for a further procedure, bleeding or infection. Because stones can recur, prevention advice and follow-up are part of the treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does every kidney stone need surgery?
No. Some small stones pass on their own. Treatment decisions are made individually based on the stone and the symptoms.
When should I seek urgent care?
If you have fever, chills, severe pain or cannot pass urine, go to the nearest emergency department without waiting for an appointment.