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Team of Qualified & Experienced Doctors
All insurance accepted
24*7 Support
World-Class Medical Facilities
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
Find the best doctor for kidney stone treatment
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
● 20 Years Experience Overall
●10000+ Happy patients
4.8
● 21 Years Experience Overall
●16000 + Surgeries Performed
4.9
● 26 Years Experience Overall
●10000+ Happy patients
4.5
● 10 Years Experience Overall
●5000+ Happy patients
4.6
Treatments we offer
Treatment
ESWL is a shock wave procedure for kidney stones which breaks down stones in your kidneys or ureters into small fragments so that they can easily pass through your urine. Lithotripsy comes from two words litho meaning stone and tripsis meaning crushing. Being a non-invasive surgical procedure, it is the best treatment for kidney stones as it uses waves generated on the outside, which affect only the stones and do not cause harm to your muscles, bones or skin.
Treatments we offer
When is it needed?
Normally, kidney stones can pass through your urinary tract, into your urine. However, when the stones are larger than 5 mm, they need to be removed with Lithotripsy. This procedure is also needed when the kidney stones are causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones may also cause bleeding or infection and hence need to be removed through ESWL. This stone removal procedure is also necessary when medications don’t help relieve the pain caused by kidney stones.
Treatments we offer
Advantages of ESWL
- Breaks down large kidney stones without open surgery
- Lesser complications
- Faster recovery time
- Improves kidney function
Treatments we offer
PreOperative care
Lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones is usually a day’s procedure, done after a detailed examination by your doctor, including your medical history, blood and urine tests to determine the concentration and type of kidney stones, followed by imaging tests to verify the exact location and size of the stones. It is advisable to inform your doctor of any pre-existing conditions or allergies. You will be asked to stop any medications such as blood thinners 5-6 days prior to the surgery, as they can increase the risk of bleeding during and after the surgery.
Your doctor will discuss with you, the procedure, as well as the benefits and risks involved.
You will be instructed to not consume any food or drinks at least 6 to 8 hours before the surgery. Since ESWL is an outpatient procedure, you can return home on the same day.
You will be asked to take your daily medications as prescribed by your doctor before the procedure. You can go ahead with the procedure only after a fitness check up with the anaesthetist. You will be given a hospital gown for the procedure and will have to remove all jewellry before going in. A consent form which gives the doctor permission to perform the procedure needs to be signed by you.
What are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are stones which can be formed in one or both kidneys or the ureters (tubes that connect your kidney to your urinary bladder). Excess salts and minerals in your urine accumulate in your kidneys or ureter, hardening to form kidney stones. These stones differ in size and can cause intense pain and discomfort. They are equally prevalent in both men and women. While some stones can be a few millimetres in size, others can grow to inches.
How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?
Your doctor will take your history in detail and do a thorough physical examination, followed by some blood, urine and imaging tests to determine the concentration, type, positions and size of the stones. These tests include:
- X-Ray KUB. An x-ray of your kidney, ureter and bladder is done to determine whether the stone can be removed by shock wave treatment.
- IVP (Intravenous pyelogram). In this test, a dye is injected in your veins to find the site of blockage in the urinary tract through an x-ray. If you are allergic to any dye or its components, it is advisable to inform your doctor in advance.
- Abdomen Ultrasound This test uses high frequency sound waves to capture live images in your body.
- High resolution CT scan. This test uses a combination of computers and x-rays to see images of your body.
The doctor proceeds with the treatment, taking in consideration your health, the location and size of the stone, your symptoms and the diagnostic test reports.
what causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones form when there is not enough fluid in your urine to dilute the crystal-forming substances such as oxalates, calcium, and uric acids. These substances then stick together to form stones. Most common causes for the formation of kidney stones include:
- Drinking less amount of water over a long period
- Family history of kidney stones
- Obesity
- A diet high in salt, sugar, and protein
- Having a stomach or an intestinal surgery
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
Your body is capable of passing kidney stones without pain, when they are smaller in size. It is when the stones are large, that the body decides to display symptoms like
- Pain while passing urine
- Pain in your lower back or abdomen
- Increased frequency of passing urine in small amounts
- Foul smelling urine
- Blood in urine
- Change in colour of your urine (red, brown, pink, etc.)
- Fever with or without chills
- Nausea and vomiting
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and choose to neglect, it might lead to serious complications which might be life threatening.
Postoperative care
After the procedure, you will be kept under observation for around 2 hours. Here, your vital signs, like your body temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure will be carefully monitored. Once stable, you can return home. However in some cases you may need to be kept under observation at the hospital through the night.
After going back home, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- High fever with a temperature above 100°F
- Severe flank pain not responding to medications
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in urine with clots
- Breathing difficulty
Relieve yourself from Anal fissure
Hear it from our patients
I opted for a lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones. With Fairfield’s assistance the whole process was hassle-free and comfortable. I found the best treatment for kidney stones with them.
Rakesh Shah
AccountantThe procedure was painless and I experienced speedy recovery. ESWL is definitely the best treatment for kidney stones.
Aditi Rao
Marketing ManagerI had been experiencing intense pain and discomfort for quite some time. I am glad I found the option of this surgery which removed my kidney stone without pain. My recovery was quick and safe, thanks to the expert doctors.
Ronak Malhotra
Marketing HeadI found an affordable option with Fairfield for my kidney stone removal procedure. They also made sure that I got the correct care throughout the treatment.
Hemani Sharma
Managing Directorworld-class treatment for the community.
Why Practo Care Surgeries?
60+
Best doctors in town
100+
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Clinics
Why Practo Care Surgeries?
60+
Best doctors
in town
100+
Satisfied
Customers
12+
Clinics
Team of Best Piles Specialists
All insurance accepted
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lithotripsy is performed by a Urologist: A specialist who can diagnose and treat problems of the urinary tract, or by a Nephrologist: A specialist who can diagnose and treat problems related to the kidneys.
Lithotripsy can remove a kidney stone without pain as it is done under anaesthesia.
The cost of lithotripsy starts at INR 80,000.
Complications with ESWL are rare and these may include:
- Bleeding
- Urinary tract infections and high fever with chills
- Injury to the surrounding skin, tissue, nerves, muscles and other organs
- Pain caused due to the passage of the fragments through the urethra
- Incomplete stone fragmentation. During ESWL the stones may not be broken completely and the fragments of the stones might get stuck in the urinary tract, which can cause complications.
ESWL is not advised, if you:
- Are Pregnant
- Are on blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- Have kidney infection, urinary tract infection or kidney cancer
- Have any type of obstruction in your kidney
- Have hard stones like cystine stones, breaking of which is difficult with ESWL
Most of the people who undergo ESWL may take up to 1 to 2 days for complete recovery. But the recovery period may vary depending on the number and size of the stones. If there are no symptoms, you can return to your daily activities within 3-4 days after the procedure.
Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment around 7 to 10 days after the procedure to check for complete recovery. An x-ray would be taken to check for any remaining fragments of stone left in the kidney.
While recovering at home, you may observe the following
- Pain in your flanks. After the procedure, the stone fragments usually pass through your urine and may cause pain, dull ache or soreness in your flank area. The pain will reduce over a few days, with painkillers as advised by your doctor.
- Fragments of stone in urine. You may notice fragments of the stone while passing urine. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also, it helps in flushing out the remaining stone fragments faster.
- Blood in urine. It is normal to see blood in the urine for a few days after the procedure. This will reduce gradually over some time. It is important that during this time, you should avoid any kind of strenuous activities and blood thinners.
- Fever. You may have low grade fever that will subside within 2 to 3 days with medications.
If ESWL surgery fails then the doctor may recommend performing Open surgery to remove the kidney stones.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
- Ureteroscopy
- Open surgery