How big must a kidney stone be to require lithotripsy?

Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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If the kidney stone is between 0.5 and 1.5 centimeters in size, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is required. After the treatment, patients should drink more water, urinate frequently, and exercise more, such as running, jumping rope, and playing basketball, to facilitate the expulsion of the stones. Then, one week later, a follow-up visit to the hospital for an ultrasonic examination of the urinary system should be done to check the status of the stone expulsion. If the kidney stone is larger than 1.5 centimeters, minimally invasive surgery is required for stone disintegration, primarily using percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Holmium laser lithotripsy.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Which department should I go to for kidney stones?

After developing kidney stones, it is necessary to promptly visit the urology department of a hospital for examination and treatment. Diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound, CT scans, and imaging are required to determine the exact location and size of the stones. If the stone inside the kidney is small, around five millimeters, this can often be managed by increasing water intake, frequent urination, exercising, and using medications such as stone-expelling granules and effervescent agents to facilitate the expulsion of the stones from the body. If the stone is large and causes hydronephrosis of the kidney, surgery is recommended as soon as possible. If there is a concurrent infection, it is necessary to control the infection before proceeding with surgical treatment.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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Where is the best place to massage for kidney stones?

Patients with kidney stones will find that massage is ineffective. For those with stones smaller than 0.5 cm, engaging in more physical activity such as playing basketball, jumping rope, or running, along with increasing fluid intake and urination, can help facilitate the expulsion of the stones. If the stones are larger, over 0.5 cm, treatment with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is necessary. For stones larger than 1.5 cm, surgical intervention is required. Beyond these methods, there are no other treatments, and massage does not have a therapeutic effect.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Is urethral calculus the same as kidney stones?

Urethral calculi and kidney stones are not the same concept. Urethral calculi refer to stones located in the urethra, while kidney stones are stones located within the kidney. The cause of urethral calculi is usually due to stones from the kidney or ureter becoming lodged in the urethra, which clinically often results in symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and difficulty urinating. Severe cases may lead to urinary retention. If kidney stones are small and smooth, they may not cause any symptoms. However, larger kidney stones can cause localized back pain, and if infected, may also lead to high fever. The treatment methods for kidney stones and urethral calculi are also different. Urethral calculi can generally be removed through surgery or endoscopic methods, while the treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and location of the stones.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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Is it easy to treat kidney stones?

If kidney stones are treated using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the procedure depends on the size and location of the stones, among other factors. Whether the stones can be effectively expelled after the procedure also varies from person to person, but generally, it tends to be successful. Kidney stones are caused by the accumulation of crystalline substances in the kidneys, and there are many reasons for the formation of kidney stones, including diet, genetics, environment, occupation, and other factors. The specific cause can only be confirmed after the stone is removed for pathological analysis. Generally, when the stones are relatively small, such as less than 0.5 centimeters, it is advisable to drink more water and undergo some important auxiliary treatments. Under the guidance of a physician, medication can be used as needed. For stones measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is required to break the stones and then expel them. If the stone exceeds 2 centimeters, surgical treatment is generally necessary.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Which department should I go to for kidney stones?

Kidney stones should be treated by a urologist. For kidney stones, a urology department will perform an ultrasound of the urinary system to examine them. The symptoms of kidney stones mainly depend on the size, shape, and location of the stones, as well as the presence of any obstructions or complications such as infections. Smaller kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms in patients unless the stone falls into the ureter, which can cause acute renal colic, severe lumbar and abdominal pain, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, urgency, and hematuria. If kidney stones are accompanied by a urinary obstruction or infection, patients may experience persistent high fever. If the kidneys have multiple columnar stones, it can lead to impaired renal function and cause renal insufficiency. Therefore, kidney stones should be taken seriously. If the stones are relatively large, consider surgical treatment or lithotripsy.