Kidney Stones

Kidney Stone Treatment 
in San Antonio

Almost half of people who have had a kidney stone will experience a recurrence unless they take preventive measures.
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Symptoms of Kidney Stones:

Blood in Urine

Flank pain

Fever

Nausea with Chills and Vomiting

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are crystal structures that solidify within the urinary tract. Nearly 12% of men and 5% of women in the U.S. will develop kidney stones. Most kidney stones are microscopic and leave the body unnoticed. However, larger stones can cause severe pain when passed or may need to be surgically removed.
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What causes kidney stones?

  • Dehydration (the leading cause of kidney stones)
  • High diet intake of: 
    • Animal Protein
    • Sodium 
    • Sugars
  • Patient or family history of disease, including Crohn's disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Patient of family history of Kidney Stones with undetermined cause

How can I prevent kidney stones?

The first step in preventing the development of kidney stones is to drink plenty of water. Recommended consumption is 8 to 10 glasses a day, with urine being clear or pale yellow. Dark yellow urine is an indication that the patient is not drinking enough water. Dietary changes, such as reducing animal protein and salt intake, can also help in prevention. See our blog article for a simple guide to avoid kidney stones.
I need help fast for my kidney stone!
We understand the severe pain kidney stones can bring. Sometimes you need treatment right away. We usually can accommodate same day appointments for patients with kidney stones. Please let the staff know.

How do you treat kidney stones at The Urology Place?

The doctors at The Urology Place use a number of treatments for kidney stones depending on the shape of the stone and the severity of your condition. We use conservative therapies whenever possible. For example, certain medications can break the stones into smaller pieces for easier passage or allow the ureter to dilate to possibly pass the stones. Larger stones, however, are treated in one of the following ways:

ESWL or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

During this non-invasive treatment, the patient is sedated while the surgeon uses X-ray imaging to target the kidney stones and transmit high-energy sound waves directly to the affected area. The waves pass through the body and break the stones into smaller pieces that can then travel out of the body through the urinary tract. We offer an affordable, self-pay rate for this procedure which includes a possible stent, anesthesia, and outpatient surgery center fees. Read more about our self-pay option here.

Ureteroscopy

During this procedure, the doctor removes the kidney stone using a ureteroscope and lasers while the patient is anesthetized. This does not require incisions, but is a more invasive procedure. The ureteroscope allows the doctor to visually locate and remove the stones. If necessary, the doctor will implant a temporary stent, which is a floppy tube that holds the ureter open, allowing the kidney to drain safely.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

During this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the lower back and inserts a catheter into the kidney. The catheter allows the doctor to locate and view the stones with a microscopic camera and use specialized tools to remove the stone or break it into small pieces. The stone then drains through the catheter along with urine. This is more invasive and will require a 2-3 day hospital stay in most cases.

Robotic or traditional open surgery

Used only when other therapies are unsuccessful, during this procedure the doctor makes an incision into the abdomen or side to access the kidney and remove the stones. Once removed, the doctor places a catheter (small tube) into the kidney to drain urine until the patient has recovered. This procedure is rare and requires a more extensive hospital stay and recovery time.

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