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The pain comes suddenly. You may feel it in your back, side or abdomen, and it can be strong enough to stop you in the middle of your day.
A scan then reveals a stone, and the next question is usually: “Can this stone pass on its own, or do I need a procedure?”
There is no single answer. Stone treatment depends on where the stone is located, how large it is, whether it is causing blockage or infection, and how severe your symptoms are.
A stone removal surgeon helps determine whether waiting is reasonable or whether removing the stone is the safer choice.
Stone removal can involve different parts of the urinary system.
A specialist may evaluate and treat:
Kidney stones
Ureter stones
Large or obstructing stones
Recurrent urinary stones
Stones causing repeated pain
Stones associated with urinary infections
Stones affecting kidney function
Complex or multiple kidney stones
Stones requiring minimally invasive procedures
For patients considering consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal, the goal should be more than simply removing today's stone.
The specialist should also help you understand why the stone formed and how you can reduce the risk of another one.
No.
Some small stones can pass naturally with observation, medicines and appropriate follow-up.
But a stone that is too large to pass, repeatedly causes pain, blocks urine flow or contributes to infection may require intervention.
A report may say that you have a 5 mm, 8 mm or larger stone.
That number matters, but it is not the only consideration.
Its location, whether the kidney is blocked, your symptoms and whether infection is present can all change the treatment decision.
A procedure may be considered when a stone is unlikely to pass naturally or is creating a significant problem.
Reasons can include:
Persistent or recurrent pain
Urinary obstruction
Repeated urinary infections
Bleeding associated with the stone
Reduced kidney function
A stone that continues to grow
A stone that remains in place despite observation
A large stone burden
Your doctor may recommend observation when the situation is suitable, rather than automatically suggesting surgery.
Modern stone treatment is not limited to traditional open surgery.
Depending on the stone's size and location, specialists may consider minimally invasive approaches.
These can include:
Ureteroscopy: A small scope is passed through the urinary tract to reach and treat the stone.
Laser lithotripsy: Laser energy can break a stone into smaller pieces during ureteroscopy.
Shock wave lithotripsy: External shock waves are used to break certain stones into smaller fragments.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A small access route through the skin may be used to remove larger kidney stones.
The best technique depends on the individual stone rather than which procedure sounds most advanced.
Imagine a patient with recurring side pain.
An imaging test shows a ureter stone. The patient initially decides to wait because they hope it will pass naturally.
After continued pain and further evaluation, the specialist determines that the stone is unlikely to pass easily and is causing urinary obstruction.
Instead of continuing to wait through repeated episodes, the patient undergoes an appropriate minimally invasive stone-removal procedure.
The lesson is simple: waiting can be appropriate, but only when the stone is being safely monitored.
Kidney stone disease is common and often comes back.
A 2024 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine noted that kidney stones affect approximately 1 in 10 people during their lifetime, with recurrence being an important concern.
That means successful treatment should not always be measured only by whether today's stone is removed.
Preventing the next stone matters too.
You may hear: “Just drink more water and wait.”
Hydration is an important part of kidney stone prevention and may be part of management for selected small stones.
But it is not a universal treatment.
If a stone is obstructing urine flow, causing severe symptoms or is associated with infection, simply drinking more water and waiting can be unsafe.
The smarter approach is to find out whether your stone is suitable for observation before deciding to wait.
Some stone-related situations require urgent medical attention.
Seek prompt care if you have severe pain accompanied by:
Fever or chills
Difficulty passing urine
Repeated vomiting
Significant weakness
Signs of infection
Known urinary obstruction
Worsening symptoms
An infected and blocked urinary system can become a serious medical emergency.
Do not try to manage that situation at home.
Your specialist may review your symptoms, urine tests, blood tests and imaging.
An ultrasound or CT scan can help determine the stone's size, location and whether it is causing obstruction.
Take your:
Ultrasound or CT reports
Urine-test results
Blood-test reports
Previous stone analysis
Records of earlier procedures
Current medication list
This helps your doctor understand both the present problem and your previous stone history.
Don't be afraid to ask exactly why a procedure is being recommended.
Where is my stone located?
How large is it?
Can it pass naturally?
Is my urinary tract blocked?
Is there an infection?
Which removal procedure is appropriate?
What are the risks of waiting?
How can I prevent another stone?
The answers can help you make a decision based on your actual condition.
Getting rid of a stone is only one part of the problem.
If you have had repeated stones, ask why they are forming.
Your doctor may recommend changes involving fluid intake, diet, stone analysis or additional urine testing depending on your history.
A successful treatment plan should ideally address both the current stone and your future risk.
That can help reduce the cycle of pain, treatment and another stone months or years later.
Consider specialist evaluation when a stone causes persistent pain, urinary blockage, repeated infections, kidney function concerns or is unlikely to pass naturally.
No. Some stones can be managed with observation and medicines. When intervention is required, several minimally invasive procedures may be available depending on the stone.
There is no single fastest method for every patient. The appropriate procedure depends on the stone's size, location, symptoms and whether complications are present.
Don't decide whether to wait or undergo stone removal based only on the size mentioned in your scan report.
Understand where the stone is, whether it is causing obstruction, whether infection is present and which treatment option is safest for you.
If you have been diagnosed with a kidney or ureter stone and are considering stone removal, schedule a consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal to review your reports and discuss the appropriate treatment approach.
