Kidney Stone Treatment: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | March 25, 2025

Kidney stones are becoming a very common concern across the world, especially in India, with poor lifestyles, including uncontrolled eating habits, increasing the occurrence of the issue among the masses. This painful disease requires patients to undergo invasive surgeries, typically in severe cases. However, with technological advancements, noninvasive treatment options such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) have been developed. While still gaining recognition, leading urology and nephrology institutions and hospitals have already adopted it. In this article we will examine what it is, how it works, and more.

Understanding Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a highly advanced and modern treatment option that is non-invasive in nature. In this procedure, shock waves are used for disintegrating the stones into tiny pieces and particles, which can then be passed out of the body through the urinary tract. The method is highly effective in treating stones that are situated in the upper ureter or in the kidney and fall between the small- to medium-sized stone category. Though it was devised in the 1980s, it is still gaining popularity, especially in India. However, now, this method of treatment is quickly becoming a widely available and accessible treatment option.

ESWL is a highly preferred treatment option among eligible patients, such as those whose stone is not bigger than 2 cm and is situated either in the kidney or in the upper ureter. Those that have stones bigger than this would not be eligible to get this treatment. Moreover, any patient whose kidney function is not compromised and whose stones can be seen very clearly via the X-ray or ultrasound scans can be considered eligible for this treatment. Finally, if these parameters are met, a patient who wants to go for the non-surgical treatment route can benefit from this kidney stone treatment option. Beyond these parameters, the eligibility of a patient can be dependent on other factors and must only be assessed and defined by a doctor.

How It Works

The way ESWL works makes it extremely effective in treating kidney stones without exposing the body to surgical procedures. While surgery can be risky (in some cases) and bring a lot of discomfort and pain to the patient, ESWL is a non-invasive process, which also makes it much less painful or uncomfortable.

In this process, lithotripters are used to emit acoustic shock waves, which are utilized for breaking down the kidney stones. These high-energy waves are targeted at the kidney stone and accurately break it down into smaller pieces. Since it is a precision process, the shock waves must be targeted accurately, which makes it vital for the stone to be clearly visible. The XRay and ultrasound scans made for the kidney stones are utilized for this, as the images clearly indicate the position of the stone.

When the body is exposed to the waves, it travels through the layers to reach the stone and break it into smaller particles. These pieces are then left in order to gradually pass through the urinary tract.

Advantages of ESWL

ESWL offers a lot of advantages, because of which it is growing in popularity for treating kidney stones effectively. Some of the key advantages that all patients must know include the following:

100% Surgery-Free

There is zero surgery involved in an ESWL procedure. All the patient needs to get done is an imaging examination, such as an ultrasound or an X-ray. Thereafter, patients will be treated using lithotripters, which emit acoustic waves. This means there is no need for any cuts, incisions, numbing agents, or anything that can be considered invasive. Because of being non-invasive, this procedure is also extremely safe for patients (who qualify) and has a high rate of success. As such, individuals who are eligible and in whom the stone is found in time should choose this treatment for its efficacy.

Minimal Downtime

For busy individuals, ESWL also brings the advantage of minimal downtime. Since it is non-invasive, patients only need to rest for a day or two before they can pick up their regular activities. The post-treatment care in this procedure, as with all others, is quite essential. So, patients must follow the instructions of their doctors in order to recover fully and quickly.

Quick Procedure, Minimal Discomfort

Another great thing about the ESWL procedure is that it is super quick, and the patient does not feel the kind of pain and discomfort that they would in a surgical procedure. The complete process can be completed within an hour, including the outpatient processes, allowing patients to leave back for home (unless otherwise needed) quickly. In most cases, patients are allowed to leave for home the same day. As for pain, in general the amount of pain and discomfort felt is very low, and for this, a mild sedative or even localized anesthesia may be given to the patients. This is mostly given to patients that are older or nervous to ensure a smoother treatment experience.

World-Class Expertise at AINU

At AINU, the leading kidney hospital in Hyderabad, we bring world-class expertise, decades of experience, and a patient-concerned approach. Our globally experienced doctors, trained with the latest treatment methods, offer a safe and comfortable ESWL treatment experience for treating kidney stones. Patients suffering from kidney stones and other urological and nephrology issues are treated with the utmost care at our hospital, with transparency, integrity, and safety at the core of all our initiatives. Driven to make your kidney health and disease recovery seamless, our doctors and staff members take all measures that make the journey comforting.

Conclusion

ESWL is one of the most advanced methods of treating kidney stones. This non-invasive method is ideal for patients that have kidney stones smaller than 2 cm and who meet the other eligibility criteria needed for the treatment. A safe and virtually painless method, this treatment is just as effective as any other surgical method, but without the recovery hassle, pain, discomfort, or chances of infection (if not provided proper post-op care). If you are struggling with kidney stones, inquire about ESWL.