How has treatment for kidney stones advanced?

Years ago, the treatment of kidney stones required major surgery, and was associated with long hospitalization and recovery periods. However, starting in the early 1980’s, doctors began treating patients with a revolutionary, non-invasive method called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

ESWL involves the administration of a series of shock waves to the targeted stone. The shock waves, which are generated by a machine called a lithotripter, are focused by X-ray onto the kidney stone. The shock waves travel into the body, through skin and tissue, reaching the stone where they break it into small fragments. For several weeks following treatment, those small fragments are passed out of the body in the urine.

In the two-plus decades since ESWL was first performed in the United States, physicians have learned a great deal about how different patients respond to this technology. They have refined their ability to identify which patients are likely to experience a successful outcome following ESWL.