Clinical facts used on this page
Treatment for Kidney Stones
Reviewed against patient information from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Read the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) source- Treatment decisions depend on stone size, location and type; some small stones may pass without treatment.
- Larger stones, blockage of the urinary tract or severe pain may require urgent treatment.
- Options to remove or break up stones include shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy; ureteroscopy may be same-day, while percutaneous nephrolithotomy may require several days in hospital.
Diagnosis of Kidney Stones
Reviewed against patient information from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Read the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) source- Assessment can include medical history, an examination, laboratory tests and imaging.
- Urine and blood tests can help identify minerals associated with stones; CT imaging can show stone size, location and possible blockage.
Clinical information last reviewed 26 October 2026. Any amount shown is an India planning estimate, not a hospital quote.
Kidney Stone Treatment
Kidney stone treatment is selected after reviewing the stone’s size, location, type and symptoms. Some small stones pass without a procedure; stones that block urine flow or cause severe pain may need urgent treatment. A urologist should review current symptoms and imaging before travel is considered.
Who Needs This Treatment?
People with suspected or confirmed stones should be assessed by a clinician, especially if pain is severe or urine flow is affected. Fever or chills, inability to urinate, severe pain or vomiting need urgent local medical assessment; do not delay that care to arrange travel.
Types of Kidney Stone Treatment
- Observation and symptom management when a clinician considers it appropriate
- Shock wave lithotripsy
- Ureteroscopy to find, remove or break up a stone
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for selected larger stones
The Process & Recovery
Assessment may include medical history, examination, urine or blood tests, and imaging. The urologist uses the findings—including stone size, location and type, and whether there is a blockage—to discuss whether monitoring or a procedure is appropriate. Ask whether a ureteral stent may be used, when it would be removed, and whether a removed stone will be analysed.
Expected Hospital Stay & Recovery
Admission and recovery depend on the procedure and the patient. NIDDK notes that ureteroscopy patients can typically go home the same day, while percutaneous nephrolithotomy may require several days in hospital. Confirm the actual stay, follow-up, stent plan and fitness to travel with the treating team.
Plan a kidney stone review
Send records for specialist review before making travel arrangements. The care team needs to assess the stone and any current symptoms before discussing a plan.
Records to share
- Recent ultrasound or CT reports and, if available, the original scan images
- Urine and blood test results, plus any previous stone analysis
- A short timeline of pain, fever or chills, vomiting, urine changes and previous episodes
- Previous procedures or stent details, current medicines, allergies and relevant medical history
Questions for the urologist
- What are the stone’s size, location and type, and is urine flow blocked?
- Which options are suitable for these findings, and why?
- Could a stent be used, and what is the plan for removal and follow-up?
- What admission, recovery, travel-fitness and follow-up arrangements should be confirmed?
Seek urgent local care: Fever or chills, inability to urinate, severe pain or vomiting can need urgent assessment. Seek local medical care rather than waiting for an overseas consultation.