Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. Shock wave lithotripsy is a treatment that helps by breaking the kidney stone into smaller pieces that are easier to pass. This treatment is also called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Lithotripsy takes about an hour.  You will likely go home the same day.

During the Procedure

• You receive medication to prevent pain and help you relax or sleep during lithotripsy. Once this takes effect, the procedure will start.

• A stent (flexible tube with holes in it) may be placed into your ureter (the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder). This helps keep urine flowing from the kidney. Your healthcare provider then uses x-ray or ultrasound to find the exact location of the kidney stone.

• Sound waves are aimed at the stone and sent at high speed. If you’re awake, you may feel a tapping as they pass through your body.

Energy waves strike the stone, which begins to crack.

The stone crumbles into tiny pieces.

After the Procedure

• You’ll be monitored in a recovery room for about 1–3 hours. Antibiotics and pain medication may be prescribed before you leave. Get these filled as soon as you leave the hospital. You will need to take the antibiotic as directed until gone. The precsiption for pain medication can be used as directed for moderate to severe pain. DO NOT drive or operate any type of machinery while taking presciption drugs for pain.

• If a stent was inserted it may have a string that will be coming out of your urethra. DO NOT PULL on this string. Avoid strenuous exercise, sexual activity or sports until the stent is removed.

• You’ll have a follow-up visit in a few weeks. Keep this appoinment  even if you feel better. Your doctor will also check for pieces of stone. It is important to confirm that all of the stone fragments have passed. You may need to have an xray of lab test to make that determination. If large pieces remain, you may need a second lithotripsy or another procedure. If you received a stent, it will be removed.

 

Passing the Stone

It can take a day to several weeks for the pieces of stone to leave your body. Drink plenty of liquids to help flush your system unless you are under fluid restriction for another medical condition.During this time:

• Your may experience some burning when you urinate. Your urine may be cloudy or slightly bloody. You may even see small pieces of stone. You may possibly have some bruising at the treatment site.

• You may have a slight fever and some lower abdominal pain or discomfort. Take prescriptions pain meds as directed or over-the-counter regular strength Tylenol (acetominophen) - 2 tablets -every 4 hours as needed. 

• All of the above symptoms are normal and should resolve in a few days.

• Strain all of your urine to collect  any stone fragments you pass. Bring any fragments to the urologist's office at the time of your follow up. These will be studied in the lab.

 

 

 

Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. Shock wave lithotripsy is a treatment that helps by breaking the kidney stone into smaller pieces that are easier to pass. This treatment is also called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Lithotripsy takes about an hour.  You will likely go home the same day.

During the Procedure

• You receive medication to prevent pain and help you relax or sleep during lithotripsy. Once this takes effect, the procedure will start.

• A stent (flexible tube with holes in it) may be placed into your ureter (the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder). This helps keep urine flowing from the kidney. Your healthcare provider then uses x-ray or ultrasound to find the exact location of the kidney stone.

• Sound waves are aimed at the stone and sent at high speed. If you’re awake, you may feel a tapping as they pass through your body.

Energy waves strike the stone, which begins to crack.

The stone crumbles into tiny pieces.

After the Procedure

• You’ll be monitored in a recovery room for about 1–3 hours. Antibiotics and pain medication may be prescribed before you leave. Get these filled as soon as you leave the hospital. You will need to take the antibiotic as directed until gone. The precsiption for pain medication can be used as directed for moderate to severe pain. DO NOT drive or operate any type of machinery while taking presciption drugs for pain.

• If a stent was inserted it may have a string that will be coming out of your urethra. DO NOT PULL on this string. Avoid strenuous exercise, sexual activity or sports until the stent is removed.

• You’ll have a follow-up visit in a few weeks. Keep this appoinment  even if you feel better. Your doctor will also check for pieces of stone. It is important to confirm that all of the stone fragments have passed. You may need to have an xray of lab test to make that determination. If large pieces remain, you may need a second lithotripsy or another procedure. If you received a stent, it will be removed.

 

Passing the Stone

It can take a day to several weeks for the pieces of stone to leave your body. Drink plenty of liquids to help flush your system unless you are under fluid restriction for another medical condition.During this time:

• Your may experience some burning when you urinate. Your urine may be cloudy or slightly bloody. You may even see small pieces of stone. You may possibly have some bruising at the treatment site.

• You may have a slight fever and some lower abdominal pain or discomfort. Take prescriptions pain meds as directed or over-the-counter regular strength Tylenol (acetominophen) - 2 tablets -every 4 hours as needed. 

• All of the above symptoms are normal and should resolve in a few days.

• Strain all of your urine to collect  any stone fragments you pass. Bring any fragments to the urologist's office at the time of your follow up. These will be studied in the lab.

 

 

 

Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. Shock wave lithotripsy is a treatment that helps by breaking the kidney stone into smaller pieces that are easier to pass. This treatment is also called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Lithotripsy takes about an hour.  You will likely go home the same day.

During the Procedure

• You receive medication to prevent pain and help you relax or sleep during lithotripsy. Once this takes effect, the procedure will start.

• A stent (flexible tube with holes in it) may be placed into your ureter (the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder). This helps keep urine flowing from the kidney. Your healthcare provider then uses x-ray or ultrasound to find the exact location of the kidney stone.

• Sound waves are aimed at the stone and sent at high speed. If you’re awake, you may feel a tapping as they pass through your body.

Energy waves strike the stone, which begins to crack.

The stone crumbles into tiny pieces.

After the Procedure

• You’ll be monitored in a recovery room for about 1–3 hours. Antibiotics and pain medication may be prescribed before you leave. Get these filled as soon as you leave the hospital. You will need to take the antibiotic as directed until gone. The precsiption for pain medication can be used as directed for moderate to severe pain. DO NOT drive or operate any type of machinery while taking presciption drugs for pain.

• If a stent was inserted it may have a string that will be coming out of your urethra. DO NOT PULL on this string. Avoid strenuous exercise, sexual activity or sports until the stent is removed.

• You’ll have a follow-up visit in a few weeks. Keep this appoinment  even if you feel better. Your doctor will also check for pieces of stone. It is important to confirm that all of the stone fragments have passed. You may need to have an xray of lab test to make that determination. If large pieces remain, you may need a second lithotripsy or another procedure. If you received a stent, it will be removed.

 

Passing the Stone

It can take a day to several weeks for the pieces of stone to leave your body. Drink plenty of liquids to help flush your system unless you are under fluid restriction for another medical condition.During this time:

• Your may experience some burning when you urinate. Your urine may be cloudy or slightly bloody. You may even see small pieces of stone. You may possibly have some bruising at the treatment site.

• You may have a slight fever and some lower abdominal pain or discomfort. Take prescriptions pain meds as directed or over-the-counter regular strength Tylenol (acetominophen) - 2 tablets -every 4 hours as needed. 

• All of the above symptoms are normal and should resolve in a few days.

• Strain all of your urine to collect  any stone fragments you pass. Bring any fragments to the urologist's office at the time of your follow up. These will be studied in the lab.