When it comes to kidney stone treatment, there are several options, which depend largely on the size of the stone. Smaller kidney stones, also called ureteric stones, will pass naturally and are managed conservatively with pain relief and medication.
The ureteric stones that may need more treatment are those which are either:
- Too large to pass spontaneously
- Causing the patient unremitting pain
- Indicating that there is a superadded infection
- In a precious kidney – i.e. a patient who has a single kidney and needs the kidney stone treated to prevent any possible reduction in renal function.
Patients may be admitted to hospital if they are in severe pain or have a superadded infection with the stone.