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Kidney stones are solid formations composed of minerals and salts that develop within the kidneys. Acute pain in the lower back is one of the most noticeable kidney stone symptoms.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) works best for small stones (less than 2 cm in diameter) found in the kidney or upper ureter. It utilises a generator to create pressure or shock waves aimed at the stone or calculus.
The waves become kinetic energy when they hit the stone at maximum intensity. The result is the fragmentation of the stone.
As a leading multispeciality hospital in India, HCG Hospitals is known for its exceptional urology care, research, and educational programs and offers the best kidney stone treatment.
At HCG Hospitals, a dedicated team of specialists works together to provide you with high-quality care and facilitate a smooth recovery after the kidney stone medical procedure.
The following are the different symptoms associated with stone formation in the kidneys:
Consult a urologist even as the first signs of kidney stones show up. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial to managing kidney stones effectively.
If you are looking for the best kidney specialist in India, you may reach out to HCG.
It is a non-invasive procedure for kidney stone removal wherein kidney stones with a size of less than 2 cm are broken down using shock waves.
This is a revolutionary approach that supports faster recovery and has higher success rates.
This procedure is performed to remove stones that are as large as 2 cm, located anywhere in the ureter or kidney.
In ureteroscopy, a mini telescope or ureteroscope is passed into the lower ureter via the bladder. This enables the urologist to inspect the stone and remove it.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is now the first-line treatment for removing large kidney stones that are 20 mm or bigger, and it has a great success rate.
Through a small incision in the back, the surgeon lowers a sheath. Then, a nephroscope (a tiny fibreoptic camera) is inserted into the sheath to locate and expel the kidney stone.
If the stone is removed through the sheath, it is called nephrolithotomy. If the stone is crushed and then removed, it is called nephrolithotripsy.
The patient rests on a comfy cushion or a membrane that lets the waves go through. It usually takes around 1,000 to 2,000 shock waves to pulverise the stones. The whole treatment lasts about 45 to 60 minutes.
Shockwave forces break stones through several mechanisms such as cavitation, cleavage, fatigue, shear stress, spall fracturing, squeezing, and superfocusing.
Cavitation: Shockwaves create tiny bubbles around the kidney stone. These bubbles collapse with force, shooting out tiny jets of high-energy fluid that hit the stone and fragment it.
Cleavage: Kidney stones break apart differently depending on the shockwave strength. At high power, the stone splits along the same line as the shockwave. At lower power, the stone disintegrates across the shockwave path.
Fatigue: Kidney stones split easily at weak spots like cracks or corners. The shockwaves hit these spots harder, causing small cracks to grow bigger until the stone splinters.
Shear Stress: Shockwaves create friction inside the kidney stone as it passes through its internal walls and layers. Kidney stones are usually made up of layers that are particularly vulnerable to shear stress pressure, making them easier to fragment.
Spall Fracturing: Shockwaves bounce off the inside of the kidney stone. This bouncing action creates strong pressure points that fracture the stone from the inside out.
Squeezing: Shockwaves induce pressure around the kidney stone since they move faster through the stone than the liquid. This pressure tries to break the stone apart.
Superfocusing: Shockwaves can bend inside the kidney stone, creating localised areas of high pressure. This pressure causes microcracks to erupt and fragment the stone.
Non-invasive: It is the best kidney stone treatment without surgery. That is, it doesn’t involve any cuts on the skin or the use of any invasive tools to remove the stone.
Minimal recovery time compared to surgical options: Once the treatment is over, the patient can start moving around right away. Many can get back to their normal daily routines in just one to two days.
High success rates for various stone sizes: Among patients who undergo SWL, around 70 to 90 percent are typically stone-free within three months after the procedure. Stones of various shapes and sizes, albeit less than 2 cm in diameter, are considered most suitable for SWL.
The healthcare team may adjust your position slightly to align your body with the energy beams. A shock wave lithotripsy device transmits intense energy waves through water and into your body.
During the procedure, if you are awake, you might notice a popping noise or experience a tapping feeling on your side.
You may experience discomfort as particles are expelled shortly after the treatment. Take the prescribed pain medications and stay hydrated to reduce the pain. Some use a heating pad or ice pack on the affected side.
Be up and about. Try to walk as much as possible. It can help push out the fragments. It may take several weeks for your body to completely get rid of the particles.
Ureteroscopy is typically used to treat stones in the ureter, particularly those found in the lower part of the ureter that is nearest to the bladder.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is used to expel stones in the kidney or upper ureter. Doctors opt for this technique when the stones are too big for other treatments like shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy.
Laser lithotripsy is an advanced treatment option for kidney stone removal, wherein laser beams are used to break down kidney stones. This is more effective than shockwave lithotripsy, as the former has higher success rates. Laser lithotripsy can remove the stones formed in the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and urethra.
Laser lithotripsy is non-invasive in most cases, as the laser fibre is inserted through the urethra. However, in some cases, a small incision is made in the back to insert the laser fibre to reach the location of the stones.
During this procedure, general anaesthesia is induced. After that, the laser fibre is inserted into the urethra through a scope. The laser beams break down the stones into smaller pieces, which are collected in a basket (a retrieval device). A temporary stent may be placed for the residual kidney stone fragments to pass out of the body.
This entire procedure may take about two hours.
SWL is not recommended for pregnant women who have kidney stones since the procedure uses X-rays and shock waves.
Individuals with bleeding disorders, infections, significant skeletal deformities, or those who are morbidly obese typically are not suitable candidates for SWL.
The urology department at HCG Hospitals, a leading urology hospital in India, is fully equipped to treat a spectrum of urologic conditions with the aid of advanced technology and multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art care.
Our dignified approach to enhancing your quality of life is marked by a personalised care plan.
Our patients’ positive feedback on kidney stone treatment and our success rates reflect the excellence of our healthcare services.
For queries and consultation with a top urologist in India, please contact us at +91 74064 99999.
The duration of SWL is approximately one hour. However, the length of the procedure may vary based on the size and number of the stones present, as well as your overall health condition.
Following SWL, about half of the patients get rid of all the stones within a month.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy cannot be used for large kidney stones that are bigger than 2 cm.
SWL works best for small stones (less than 2 cm in diameter) found in the kidney or upper ureter. Ultimately, your doctor will decide if SWL is right for you or not.
Most patients experience pain for a day or two after SWL. It may be a dull ache or tenderness in and around the kidney. The pain is usually intense in the evening following the surgery.
You should not eat or drink after midnight before the procedure. You and your doctor will decide if you’ll need light sedation and a local or general anaesthetic.
Take it easy for a day or two after the procedure. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water so that your body can easily flush out the fragments. Some find lemon water to be useful in breaking down kidney stones. Don’t forget to take the pain medicine prescribed by your doctor.
It may take days to several weeks for kidney stone fragments to be completely out of your system. You may notice particles that resemble stone, gravel, or dust in your urine.
The urologists here at HCG Hospitals treat a broad spectrum of urologic conditions:
Your healthcare team will set up a follow-up appointment for you a few weeks after the procedure. You might need to collect your urine to catch any leftover stones or bits that can be sent to the lab for testing.
Individuals who chose SWL experience notably shorter hospital stays. They find it incredibly cost-effective too compared to other kidney stone procedures.
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