If you have a kidney stone, you're probably all too familiar with the excruciating pain it can cause. Fortunately, a treatment called lithotripsy can help. Also known as ESWL - (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), this noninvasive procedure helps your body rid itself of the kidney stone with a minimum of pain.
What Is Lithotripsy?
Lithotripsy is a method of crushing a kidney stone while it's still inside your body. It's a noninvasive procedure that doesn't require incisions. During lithotripsy, carefully directed shock waves pass harmlessly through your body and hit the stone, causing it to crumble into sand-like particles. These particles can then pass easily out of your urinary tract.
Possible Complications
Complications of lithotripsy are rare, but include the following:
The kidneys' job is to filter chemicals that the body can't use out of the blood. When your two kidneys are healthy, waste chemicals dissolve in the urine and are carried out of your body. But under certain conditions, chemicals in the urine may form crystals. These crystals build up in the kidney and stick together to form a stone. Kidney stones may block the flow of urine through the urinary tract, causing severe pain.
HOW IT'S DONE
The lithotripsy procedure, which takes about an hour, is done in a hospital, lithotripsy center, or mobile lithotripsy van. It usually doesn't require an overnight hospital stay. Your doctor or a nurse can instruct you on how to prepare for the procedure and explain what to expect afterward.
Your Experience
A stent (flexible tube with holes) may be placed in your ureter before the procedure to help keep urine flowing from the kidney. You may receive an intravenous (IV) line to give you fluids and medications. These medications may help relax you or make you sleep. You lie comfortably on a fluid-filled cushion or in a warm-water bath. An x-ray or ultrasound finds the exact location of your kidney stone. Then shock waves are aimed at the stone and sent at high speed. If you're awake, you may feel a tapping sensation as the shock waves pass harmlessly through your body. If large stone particles remain after treatment, a second procedure may be necessary at a later time.
After the Procedure
After the procedure, you'll be monitored in a recovery room for about one to three hours. You may be prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection and pain medication if you need it. In a week or two, your doctor may remove your stmt, if you have one, and check whether any stone particles remain.
Passing the Stone
It may take anywhere from a day to several weeks for the stone particles to leave your body. During this time, drink plenty of liquids. It's normal for your urine to be cloudy or slightly bloody for a few weeks. You may even see small pieces of stone in your urine. A slight fever and some pain are also normal. Your doctor may ask you to strain your urine to collect some stone particles for chemical analysis.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you have any of the following:
After your kidney stone has been treated, take these steps to prevent future stones:
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