Kidney Stone Recovery Time

The pain caused by a kidney stone is often compared to the pain of childbirth. Fortunately, as a result of recent advances in medical technology this excruciating condition can be treated noninvasively, with only a short recovery time.

Kidney Stone Features

• A kidney stone is a small crystal, made of calcium and other minerals or uric acid. Normally, these substances remain in solution and don't cause problems before being passed from the body during urination.

Causes

• Kidney stones form when urinary composition becomes unbalanced and the fluid can no longer dilute the minerals which form the stone. This can be caused by dehydration, a high-protein diet, certain medical conditions or infections such as gout, or certain medications.

Symptoms

• If a stone is small enough, it will pass from the body unnoticed. However, if the stone is large enough to block the ureters or the urethra, it will cause extreme pain and cramping as the abdominal muscles try to squeeze the stone towards the bladder and then out of the body. This often causes blood in the urine as well.

Treatment

• Normally, the stone can be passed after several days if the patient drinks plenty of fluid to help move the stone through the urinary tract. If the stone is too large, however, surgery may be required. Shock waves, a direct incision into the kidney or a ureteroscope can be used to break up and/or remove the stone.

Recovery

• If the stone passes naturally, recovery is fairly rapid unless the stone caused an infection. Surgeries usually require up to a week of recovery. In the past, when open surgery was the only option, recovery usually took several weeks.