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Condition & treatment
Kidney & ureteric stones
Fast relief from stone pain and a range of treatment options — from Mr Swallow's main surgical specialism.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in concentrated urine crystallise together. A stone that stays in the kidney may cause no symptoms at all; one that moves into the ureter — the narrow tube carrying urine from kidney to bladder — can cause sudden, severe pain as it tries to pass.
Common symptoms
- Sudden, severe pain in the loin or flank, which may spread towards the groin
- Pain that comes in waves (colic)
- Blood in the urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Recurrent urine infections
Severe stone pain together with a fever, or a stone blocking a kidney that has become infected, needs urgent same-day care. If you have these symptoms, contact your GP, an urgent care centre, or A&E promptly.
Diagnosis
A CT scan is usually the quickest way to confirm a stone, its size and its position, alongside a urine test. If you've been admitted as an emergency with a blocked, painful kidney, you may already have had some of these tests and initial treatment before your specialist appointment.
Treatment options
| Treatment | How it works | Typically suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Ureteroscopy | A fine telescope is passed up through the bladder to the stone, which is broken up with a laser. A temporary stent is sometimes left in place afterwards. | Stones in the ureter or kidney; many patients go home the same day or the following morning |
| Shockwave treatment (ESWL) | Shockwaves are focused through the skin onto the stone, using X-ray or ultrasound to guide them, breaking it into fragments that pass naturally. | Smaller, softer stones; a low-risk, non-invasive option — though some very hard stones may need more than one treatment |
| Keyhole stone removal (PCNL) | A small puncture is made in your side, through which a telescope reaches the kidney directly to remove the stone. | Larger stones that are less suited to the other two options |
Mr Swallow will recommend the option best suited to the size, number, and position of your stone or stones, alongside your general health and preferences.
Preventing further stones
For anyone who has had more than one stone, dietary and fluid advice can meaningfully reduce the chance of another forming. This is usually discussed at your follow-up appointment and tailored to the type of stone you've had.
Information on this page follows patient guidance published by the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS).