Is lithotripsy necessary for a kidney stone?

While lithotripsy is not mandatory for all kidney stones, the majority of them would benefit from it. 

This is because stones grow over time, can cause sudden severe pain requiring an Emergency room visit or admission to the hospital, and in some cases cause chronic blockage of the kidney thereby causing kidney failure.

In some cases, the stone is small enough 2-3mm to pass by itself, but it is wise to see a urologist and get follow-up Xrays to make sure they are indeed passed, and not causing any problems.

Lithotripsy refers to various methods of breaking kidney or ureteral stones. ESWL is a non-invasive form of lithotripsy where machine-generated shock waves are focused on the stone from outside your body. It is effective, but requires the fractured stone fragments to spontaneously pass into the urinary bladder and then out with urination. Laser lithotripsy requires access to your stone by a small caliber scope. The stone is carefully fractured with the laser under direct vision, and subsequent fragments are typically removed with a collapsible wire basket. Frequently a temporary ureteral stent is placed after the procedure. Both procedures are options for stones not passing spontaneously. Smaller stones usually pass unaided while larger stones may require treatment like lithotripsy.