Shockwave Treatment for Kidneys

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) uses shock waves to break up kidney stones. Once they're broken into tiny pieces, the stones pass out of the body more easily and with less pain. This outpatient procedure is a safer alternative to surgery to remove larger stones.

What to expect

• During treatment, you'll be given a sedative or anesthesia to make you more comfortable. You'll lie on a water-filled cushion or be placed in a water bath, and the shock waves will pass through your body. The treatment usually takes about an hour.

  Doctors use X-rays and ultrasound images to locate the stones so the shock waves can be more precisely aimed.

  After the treatment, you'll go home and be asked to monitor your urine output to watch for stones passing. You might have some pain, depending on the size of the stone fragments. Some people also experience blood in their urine or back pain after ESWL.

Who is eligible for ESWL?

• The treatment works best on stones still located in the kidney. Once they've passed into the urethra, they're more difficult for the sound waves to reach. Shock wave treatment is usually used on stones that measure from 4 mm to 2 cm. It's safe for children and adults of all ages.

  However, if you're pregnant or have any kind of bleeding disorder, you aren't a good candidate for ESWL. Your doctor also won't prescribe ESWL if you have an active kidney infection or suffer from kidney cancer.

  ESWL usually breaks down kidney stones into small enough pieces that they can be easily passed. Sometimes larger fragments remain, and the treatment has to be repeated.

Warnings

• Research by the Mayo Clinic suggests that ESWL might increase the risk of developing diabetes or hypertension later in life, so you should discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before undergoing ESWL (see Reference 2).