Large stones responsible for severe symptoms
Too-large kidney stones are more difficult to pass on their own and may cause bleeding and kidney injury. In addition to causing persistent urinary tract infections, large kidney stones can necessitate more invasive and extensive interventions. Some possible interventions for large kidney stones are:
Utilising sound vibrations to crack the stones
Depending on the location and magnitude of certain kidney stones, the doctor may recommend extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a non-surgical procedure. The ESWL utilises sound waves to generate powerful shock waves that shatter kidney stones into small fragments that can transit through urine. The procedure typically lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and can cause moderate to severe discomfort. The physician may administer a mild anaesthetic or sedative to make the patient comfortable. In addition to blood in the urine, ESWL can cause bleeding around the kidneys, bruising on the abdomen or back, bleeding around other adjacent organs, and a painful sensation as the stone fragments travel through the urinary tract.
