Kidney Stone Treatment
Kidney stone treatment removes or breaks up hard mineral deposits (stones) that form in the kidneys or ureters and cause severe pain or block the flow of urine. Options range from shock-wave lithotripsy, which breaks stones from outside the body, to ureteroscopy with a laser, flexible intrarenal stone surgery and keyhole surgery (PCNL) for larger stones — chosen by the stone's size, position and composition.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Stones that are small often pass on their own with fluids and pain relief, but larger stones, or those causing a blockage, severe pain or infection, usually need active treatment. The choice depends on the stone's size, location and hardness. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) uses focused sound waves from outside the body to break a stone into fragments small enough to pass. Ureteroscopy passes a thin scope up through the urinary tract to reach the stone and break it with a laser, removing the fragments. Flexible intrarenal stone surgery, also known as retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), reaches kidney stones through the natural urinary tract without an external incision and many suitable patients can go home the same day.
For large or complex stones in the kidney, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) removes them through a small incision in the back directly into the kidney. Flexible RIRS may be preferred for selected intrarenal stones where an incisionless approach is appropriate. A thin tube called a stent is sometimes left temporarily to keep the ureter open and help fragments pass. After treatment, analyzing the stone and reviewing diet and fluid intake help reduce the chance of new stones forming.
International patients receive a coordinator, a clear plan and a transparent cost estimate before travel, including which technique is planned and the expected stay. Our urologists can review your CT and reports remotely first so the right approach is chosen before you travel.
Who is a candidate?
- People with a kidney or ureteral stone too large to pass on its own
- Those with a stone causing severe pain, a blockage or recurrent infections
- Patients whose stone has not passed despite fluids and conservative measures
- People with intrarenal stones suitable for flexible incisionless stone surgery, or large/complex stones that may need keyhole surgery (PCNL)
- Those who form stones repeatedly and want treatment plus advice on prevention
What happens
- 1
Imaging and assessment
A CT scan and urine and blood tests confirm the stone's size, position and any blockage or infection, which determines the best technique.
- 2
Choosing the technique
Your urologist recommends shock-wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser, flexible intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS), or keyhole surgery (PCNL) based on the stone's size, location and hardness.
- 3
The procedure
Lithotripsy breaks the stone from outside the body; ureteroscopy and flexible RIRS reach it through the natural urinary tract with a thin scope and laser; PCNL removes large stones through a small incision in the back. A temporary stent may be placed.
- 4
Early recovery
Many procedures are day cases or need a short stay. You drink plenty of fluids to help fragments pass, and any stent is removed at a follow-up visit.
- 5
Prevention
Analyzing the stone and reviewing your fluid intake and diet help reduce the risk of new stones. International patients receive prevention advice and a follow-up plan.
Benefits
- Relieves the severe pain and blockage that stones can cause
- Several techniques available, matched to the stone's size, position and hardness
- Shock-wave lithotripsy can break stones with no incision at all
- Ureteroscopy and laser allow high stone-clearance rates, often as a day case
- Stone analysis and prevention advice help reduce the chance of recurrence
Risks & considerations
- Blood in the urine and discomfort for a few days as fragments pass
- A temporary stent can cause urinary urgency or discomfort until it is removed
- Infection, which is monitored for and treated, especially if a stone was blocking urine
- Occasionally, a stone is not fully cleared and a further procedure is needed
- The general risks of anesthesia and, for PCNL, of a small incision into the kidney
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This treatment is delivered by our Urology Department.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Kidney Stone Treatment — frequently asked questions
Treatment depends on the stone. Options include shock-wave lithotripsy (breaking the stone from outside the body), ureteroscopy with a laser to reach and break it internally, and keyhole surgery (PCNL) for large stones. Small stones may pass on their own with fluids.
Shock-wave lithotripsy is usually done under sedation or anesthesia and is generally well tolerated. You may notice some discomfort and blood in the urine afterwards as the stone fragments pass.
Sometimes. A thin temporary stent may be placed to keep the ureter open and help fragments pass, especially after ureteroscopy. It is removed at a follow-up visit, and your urologist explains whether you are likely to need one.
Often the risk can be reduced. Analyzing the stone and reviewing your fluid intake and diet guide personalized prevention advice, which we provide as part of your follow-up.
Many procedures are day cases or need only one to two nights, plus a short local recovery and stent removal if needed — your coordinator confirms the plan. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your imaging rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering kidney stone treatment?
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