Kidney Stone : Symptoms, Risks & Best Laser Treatment
1 month ago
I’ve been experiencing mild, on-and-off pain on my right side for some time. It’s not very severe, but sometimes it becomes sharp for a short duration. I recently got a sonography and CT scan done, and the report shows a 12 mm stone stuck in the ureter (urine pipe). I’ve had small kidney stones earlier (4–5 mm), which passed with medicines, but this time I’m confused. Since the pain is not constant, can I wait and try medicines, or is surgery necessary? Also, is there any risk to my kidney if I delay treatment?
Answers (1)
Top Doctor
Based on your reports, the 12 mm stone is stuck in the ureter, which is the narrow pipe (around 3–4 mm in diameter) connecting the kidney to the bladder. Stones smaller than 5 mm can sometimes pass naturally, but a 12 mm stone is too large to pass on its own, which is why it has likely become stuck.
Even if your pain is mild or occasional, the bigger concern here is that the stone is blocking the flow of urine, which can lead to swelling in the kidney (hydronephrosis). Over time, this blockage can start affecting kidney function if not treated. Sometimes, patients don’t notice major symptoms because the other kidney continues to function normally, but that doesn’t mean the condition is safe to ignore.
In such cases, medicines alone won’t be effective, and the recommended treatment is a laser procedure (RIRS – Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery). This is a minimally invasive technique where a thin scope (no cuts or stitches) is passed through the natural urinary passage, the stone is broken with a laser, and removed. The procedure usually takes 30–40 minutes, requires 24 hours of hospital stay, and recovery is quick you can resume normal activities within a day or two.
It’s advisable not to delay the treatment for too long, as prolonged blockage can gradually harm the kidney. Planning the procedure within a reasonable short time frame is the safest approach to avoid complications and ensure complete recovery.
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