Large stones that cause severe symptoms
Kidney stones that are too big in size are harder to pass on their own and sometimes cause bleeding and kidney damage. Large kidney stones also result in ongoing urinary tract infections that might need more invasive and extensive treatments. Some treatments for large kidney stones might include:
Using sound waves to split up the stones
For some kidney stones, depending upon on their location and size, the doctor might recommend a non-surgical procedure known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The ESWL utilizes sound waves to form strong shock waves that split up the kidney stones into little pieces that can pass through your urine later. The procedure last for almost 45 to 60 minutes and can result in moderate to severe pain. The doctor might put you under light anesthesia or sedation to make the patient comfortable. The ESWL procedure can also lead to the secretion of blood along with urine, bleeding around the cavity of kidneys, bruising on the abdomen or back, bleeding around other adjacent organs, and painful sensation as the stone pieces pass through the urinary tract.