Most kidney stones usually pass on their own without the need for surgerical procedures. Depending on the size of the stone, it can take a day or even months to flush out the stone from the body. Kidney stone doctors may prescribe medications or recommend home remedies, alternative therapies, lifestyle changes, etc. Medicines like alpha-blockers, pain-relievers, etc. reduce pain and discomfort and help flush out stones from the body naturally. While these treatment methods are effective in managing symptoms of kidney stones, they are not the permanent cure. Surgical procedures for kidney stone removal ensure a high stone-free rate and negligible chances of recurrence. Here are some non-surgical methods to get rid of kidney stones –
Medications – Kidney stone doctors usually recommend medicines to reduce the pain and discomfort caused due to the movement of stones. Medications like alpha-blockers are muscle relaxers that expand the muscles of the ureter to allow the stones to smoothly flush out of the body. Examples of alpha-blockers include tamsulosin and the drug combination dutasteride and tamsulosin. Doctors also recommend pain relievers to get rid of pain due to kidney stones. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium help relieve mild pain and discomfort due to kidney stones.
Home remedies – Home remedies are a combination of dietary restrictions and lifestyle changes. Kidney stones are broadly divided into 4 types – Oxalate stones, Struvite stones, Cystine stones, and Uric acid stones. Most of these minerals are present in the food we consume on a daily basis. However, increased consumption of one mineral can be a risk factor for the formation of stones- oxalate stones are one of the most common types of kidney stones which are formed due to consumption of food containing oxalates, phosphates, and calcium. A diet high in animal protein increases the concentration of uric acid in the body,the high amount of uric acid decreases the citrate levels. A high citrate level prevents the formation of stones and also gets rid of them. Dietary restrictions that can help get rid of kidney stones include –
Limiting oxalate-rich foods
Increasing dietary calcium
Avoiding food with excessive amounts of salt
Decrease high doses of vitamin C supplements
Minimizing consumption of animal protein
Therefore, restricting certain foods and beverages can help you get rid of kidney stones and prevent the formation of new stones. If you have a prior history of kidney stones, consult with your physician regarding what diet you should take.
Lifestyle modification can help get rid of stones and also decrease the chances of formation of new stones. Lifestyle changes include staying hydrated and encouraging minimal exercise. Doctors generally recommend drinking 2-3L of water every day to increase the fluid volume in the body. This increases the urine output which can flush out stone fragments. Moreover, encouraging citrus fruits, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, etc. can help get rid of kidney stones.
Acupuncture – The primary aim of acupuncture for kidney stone treatment involves promoting flow along the affected acupuncture meridians. This instigates urination (could be in small amounts) which relieves the congestion allowing the small stones to pass. Moreover, some therapists add electrical stimulation to the acupuncture needles to create vibrations that allow stones to work their way down the ureter. However, only certain types and sizes of stones respond to electrical stimulations. Consult your kidney stone doctor before considering acupuncture as a treatment option.

Urologists often recommend kidney stone removal surgery when the size of the stone is either too big or when non-surgical procedures are ineffective against the stone. There are different techniques such as shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URSL), laser procedure (RIRS), and minimally invasive surgery (PCNL) for kidney stones removal.
The size of our ureter is around 3-4mm. When the size of the stone is large enough to pass on its own, it may get stuck in the kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder, etc. resulting in unbearable pain. In such cases, kidney stone removal surgery becomes inevitable. Modern kidney stone removal surgeries are usually done as daycare procedures which means the patient does not require more than 1-day hospitalization. However, in case of any complications, the doctor may ask you to stay back until your recovery.
Hence, doctors can recommend RIRS, URSL, ESWL for stone sizes less than 14mm to 15mm and minimally invasive surgery or PCNL for stone sizes greater than 15mm. The cost of kidney stone treatment can vary depending on the type of procedure. Here is the approximate cost of different kidney stones removal procedures –
ESWL- Rs. 40,000 – Rs. 50,000
PCNL- Rs. 65,000 – Rs. 75,000
RIRS- Rs. 95,000 – Rs. 1,05,000
URSL- Rs. 40,000 – Rs. 65,000
However, the cost of surgery can vary depending on the choice of surgeon or urologist, selection of hospital, number of stones, size of stones, cost of non-medical items, insurance coverage, post-consultation charges, etc.

RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery)
RIRS is an advanced procedure performed to treat kidney stones with sizes ranging from 8mm to 15mm. First, the anesthesia doctor will administer either spinal or general anesthesia based on the choice of the patient for painless treatment. In spinal anesthesia, the patient is sedated below the waist, whereas, in general anesthesia, the patient is asleep throughout the surgery. The urologist then uses a thin, flexible endoscope fitted with a tiny laser on the other end. The location of stones is determined by the x-rays and imaging tests that guide the surgeon inside the patient’s body. The stones are either removed using forceps or broken into smaller fragments with tiny lasers. The stone pieces are then expelled from the body through the process of urination.
The surgeon may insert ureteral stents through your urethra into the ureter. Stents enlarge the passage of the urinary tract for smooth movement of stones and are usually kept for 10-14 days depending on the time it takes for stone fragments to flush out of the body completely. Stent removal can be done on the same day or during the subsequent visit to the surgeon. In the case of staghorn calculus(a type of kidney stone that resembles the horns of a stag), you may require two to three sittings to completely get rid of stones in the case of RIRS.
ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)
ESWL , also known as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, is a non-invasive surgery where the doctor uses external shock waves to break the kidney stone into smaller pieces. The patient is administered spinal anesthesia to reduce the pain when the stones are expelled from the body.It is a conventional procedure that may require multiple sittings to break the stones completely.
URSL (Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy)
In URSL, the patient is administered spinal or general anesthesia. This ensures a painless experience throughout the surgery. The surgeon, then, uses a thin tube called a ureteroscope that is passed into the ureter with a camera and laser on the other end. The camera locates the stones while the laser subsequently breaks the stone into smaller fragments. These smaller pieces are flushed out through urine. The urologist inserts stents into the ureter to enlarge the ureter opening for smooth movement of stones. The stents are kept inside until the stones are thoroughly flushed out of the body.
PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy)
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is a minimally invasive surgery for treating kidney stones with a size greater than 15mm. It is also known as tunnel surgery due to the nature of tiny incisions. The anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia before the surgery to ensure a painless procedure. The patient will be asleep throughout the surgery. Then, the surgeon will make a minor incision (around 1cm) on the flank area (lower back area) and use a nephroscope to locate and break the stones into pieces. The stone can be removed in its intact form or if the size of the stone is too large, it is broken into smaller pieces and flushed out.

A kidney stone procedure can be quite stressful, but it becomes easier for you emotionally and mentally if you know what to expect,. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the kidney stone removal procedure –
You must inform your urologist about any ongoing medications and current health conditions before the procedure.
It is also important to inform the surgeon about any history of allergies related to anesthesia.
Do not smoke tobacco or anything else before your kidney stone removal surgery.
Consult your doctor before taking any medicines prior to the kidney stone procedure. Some medications such as blood thinners can result in complications during the surgery.
Patients must not eat or drink 8 to 9 hours prior to the surgery.
Have someone drive you home after the surgery as you may feel exhausted after the procedure.
The doctor may insert stents in your ureter via the urethra, which may be kept there for two to three weeks to enlarge the ureter and help drain the kidneys.

After performing the diagnostic tests, the kidney stone specialist recommends the course of procedure based on the size, location, and the number of stones. Therefore, depending on the type of kidney stone removal procedure, the surgeon may perform different methods and techniques.You can expect these during the kidney stone removal procedure:
ESWL –
The doctor will administer spinal anesthesia before the procedure.
You will be asked to sit inside a water-filled tub or cushion.
The doctor will break the stones into smaller pieces using external shockwaves/soundwaves.
URSL and RIRS
You will be given spinal or general anesthesia before the procedure.
A medical device called a ureteroscope will be inserted inside the ureter through the urethra to reach the location where the stone is present.
The doctor may also insert stents which may be kept until the stones are completely flushed out of the body.
Once the stones are removed, the doctor may remove stents on the same day or during the consecutive visit to the doctor.
PCNL
The anesthesologist administers general anesthesia before the procedure.
The surgeon then makes a tiny incision, about 1cm in length in the flank area to access the site where the stone is located.
Once the stones are removed, the surgeon uses sutures to seal the site of the incision.
The surgeon may also insert stents if required

The urologist will prescribe you medicines like pain relievers and alpha-blockers to relax and open your ureter for a certain period after the kidney stone has been removed to allow the smooth movement of stones and reduce pain and discomfort.
There may be mild bleeding during urination due to the insertion of the stent. However, this is normal and you can expect little bleeding in the urine for the first few days after the surgery, especially if there are ureteral stents present. In case you suspect heavy bleeding, contact your medical professional.
The surgeon may examine your kidney stone pieces for lab tests to help the doctor to understand the primary composition of the stones to avoid certain diets and prevent a recurrence.
The stents may be kept inside the ureter for a desired period of time after the surgery. Once the surgeon is convinced that stone fragments have been fully flushed out of the body, he or she may remove the stent in the same sitting or during the post-surgery consultation.
In the case of ESWL, the patients may feel slight soreness and bruising around the area where the lithotripter was in contact with the skin.
You may also experience pain and nausea as the remaining stone fragments pass through the urinary tract