Stones
Expert treatment of kidney, ureteric and bladder stones — including shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser, and stone-prevention advice.
What are urinary stones?
Urinary stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the urinary tract. They can develop in the kidney (kidney stones), move into the tube draining the kidney (ureteric stones), or form in the bladder. Stones are common, often very painful, and highly treatable — and with the right advice, many people can reduce their chance of forming new ones.
Stones form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallise and clump together. They range from tiny gravel-like fragments that pass unnoticed to larger stones that can block the flow of urine. A blocked, infected kidney is a medical emergency, which is why timely assessment matters.
Recognising stone pain
Classic stone pain — often called renal colic — comes on suddenly as a severe, cramping pain in the back or side that may spread to the lower abdomen and groin. It can come in waves and may be accompanied by nausea, blood in the urine, and a frequent urge to urinate.
Seek urgent care if severe pain is accompanied by fever, shivering or feeling very unwell — this can signal an infected, blocked kidney that needs prompt treatment.
Treatment options
The right treatment depends on the stone’s size, location and composition, and on your symptoms.
Watchful waiting
Small stones often pass on their own with good hydration, pain relief and sometimes medication to help them along.
Smaller stones with manageable symptoms and no blockage or infection.
Stones may take days to weeks to pass; you’ll be advised when to seek review.
Ureteroscopy with laser
A very fine telescope is passed up through the urethra and bladder to the stone, which is then broken up with a laser and removed. No external cuts.
Ureteric stones and many kidney stones.
Often a day procedure; a temporary stent may be left in place for a short time.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
For large or complex kidney stones, a small tract is made through the skin into the kidney to remove the stone directly.
Large or staghorn kidney stones.
Usually a short hospital stay.
Ureteric stenting
A ureteric stent is a soft, flexible tube placed inside the ureter to keep it open and let urine drain freely from the kidney to the bladder. It is positioned without any external incisions and is always intended to be temporary.
Stenting is most often used to relieve a blocked kidney urgently — particularly when a stone has caused an infected, obstructed kidney, which is a medical emergency — or as a bridge to definitive treatment, settling the kidney so the stone can be removed at a planned procedure soon after.
A stent commonly causes some bladder symptoms while it is in place: a frequent or urgent need to urinate, some discomfort in the bladder, kidney or groin (often felt on passing urine or with activity), and small amounts of blood in the urine. These symptoms settle once the stent is removed, and most people manage well with simple measures in the meantime.
Causes & prevention
Stones form for many reasons, and not drinking enough fluid is one of the most common contributors. Other factors include diet, certain medical conditions, some medications, and a family history of stones.
Practical steps that help many people reduce recurrence include staying well hydrated so urine stays pale, moderating salt intake, eating a balanced diet, and following any individualised dietary advice. For repeat stone-formers, analysing the stone and running metabolic tests can reveal the underlying cause and guide targeted prevention.
This page provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Please consult a urologist about your individual circumstances.