Charlotte Miller

Lithotripsy or shock waves can cure kidney stones? Best Kidney Doctor in Gurgaon Explains!

Lithotripsy or shock wave is a technique to treat kidney stones in the ureter and kidney that do not need any surgery. Instead, the best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon will pass high-energy shock waves throughout the entire body to break the stones into smaller pieces like the sand grains. These small pieces then exit the body through the urine. 

The best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon eliminates the stones in two ways through lithotripsy. In one way, the patient has to get inside lukewarm water, and the doctor implements ultrasound or x-rays to identify the stone’s location. The urologists then position the patient, directing them toward the stone locations. 

The second way of shock wave Kidney stone treatment is the most common one. The patient lies on a soft membrane or cushion through which the wave passes. The doctor then passes 1000 to 2000 shock waves for crushing the stones. This entire Kidney stone treatment takes nearly 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. 

When does the Best Kidney Doctor in Gurgaon Recommend Lithotripsy?

The best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon might use lithotripsy for treating kidney stones that are

  • Too big to pass through the urine on their own (usually the size of an eraser or greater than 5 mm in diameter)
  • Painful
  • Blocking the normal flow of urine

The best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon also considers the following factors to decide if a shock wave is appropriate for the patient.

  • Stone location and size
  • If the patient is taking any regular medicines or has any health condition
  • The patient’s body type

FAQ

What is the recovery time for the lithotripsy or shock waves?

You can move around immediately after the lithotripsy procedure. However, you can go back to your normal routine only after 1 to 2 days. You have to drink enough water after this process so that the stone passes through the urine without difficulty.

Is Lithotripsy or Shock Wave Treatment Painful?

The patient is usually under the influence of regional or general anesthesia during the process of lithotripsy or shock wave treatment. Most people undergoing the treatment without anesthesia and using pain medicines beforehand feel mild to moderate pain.  

What is the time frame for the Kidney Stones to pass out after Lithotripsy?

The kidney stones can pass out from the body through urine for a few days to one week after lithotripsy or shock wave process. The stone pieces might appear like gravel, dust, or sand. You can feel some discomfort or mild pain when the stone fragment passes. To help in managing this pain and moving the stones out rapidly from the body, the best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon might prescribe the following:

  • Ketorolac, which is a pain reliever
  • Tamsulosin will relax the bladder and will help you release the stone from the body.

The success rate of lithotripsy varies from 30 to 90%. However the success rate depends if the kidney stones are present in some parts of the organ or just in the upper ureter part. Since this treatment does not involve any surgery, thus there are no complications and hospital stays with lower recovery time and cost. However, you should immediately consult the best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon if you suddenly experience the following symptoms after the treatment:

  • Severe abdominal or back pain suddenly
  • Consistent vomiting or nausea
  • Fever
  • Worsening pain even after taking pain relievers
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Blood clotting in the urine

Final Thoughts

Lithotripsy or shock wave is a non-invasive and safe Kidney stone treatment. Many people consider this as an alternative option for breaking the stones into tiny pieces with no surgery involved. But it depends on several factors like stone location and size. So, talk with the best Kidney doctor in Gurgaon and get suggestions if lithotripsy is the correct treatment for you.