5 mm Kidney Stone Treatment

Diagnosis

Kidney stone diagnosis includes a physical examination along with the following tests:

• Blood test: A blood test helps check the amount of calcium and uric acid in the body. The test also helps in evaluating overall kidney health. 
• Screening tests: X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan are performed to examine the current condition and location of the 5 mm kidney stone.
• Urine test- This test is performed to check if there is a urinary infection caused due to kidney stone.

Surgery

A 5 mm kidney stone does not need surgical removal unless it gets stuck in the ureter and causes excruciating pain. In such a case, any of the following advanced surgeries can be performed:

• ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): In this technique, the doctor uses shock waves to break the kidney stone into smaller fragments that can easily pass out with urine.
• Lithotripsy (Ureteroscopy): The surgeon passes a ureteroscope through the urethra into the ureter to break down 5 mm kidney stones with laser energy. 
• RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery): In this procedure, a flexible ureteroscope is placed inside the kidney to remove a 5 mm stone in the kidney or upper ureter.
• PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): In this advanced, minimally invasive technique, the 5 mm kidney stone is removed by making a minor incision in the lower abdomen.