Kidney stones

NEPHROLITHIASIS


If kidney stones are causing you pain and discomfort, we can help diagnose and treat them

Enquiries & Appointments

Female gp listening to patient

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are stone-like lumps that form in the kidney. Sometimes, they can get stuck in the ureter (tube from the kidney to the bladder), causing severe lower back pain and occasional blood in urine. Most stones are small enough to pass naturally in your urine. Bigger kidney stones may require treatment, which our urology consultant can provide at HCA UK.

Need to know

Kidney stones are quite common, usually affecting people aged between 30 and 60. They tend to affect men more than women. Some of the symptoms and signs of kidney stones include:

  • aching in your loin (flank)
  • non-visible blood in your urine
  • infection in your urine
  • ureteric colic (severe pain as a stone passes down from your kidney to your bladder)

Sometimes, a stone can get close to your bladder. If this happens, your symptoms may include:

  • a constant need to urinate
  • burning when you pass urine
  • pain at the tip of your penis or urethra (waterpipe)
  • visible blood in your urine
To make a kidney stone diagnosis, your consultant will take your medical history and discuss your symptoms with you. They are likely to carry out a CT scan or a renal ultrasound scan may also ask you to carry out urine and bloods tests. If you are diagnosed with kidney stones, HCA UK has the facilities and expertise to help.

We are experts in kidney care and are well-equipped to provide a range of kidney stone treatment options. Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you. They might include:

  • Lithotripsy. This non-invasive treatment uses a high-intensity sound wave to break the kidney stones up into smaller pieces, so you can pass them naturally.
  • Ureteroscopy. This minimally-invasive procedure uses a thin, semi-rigid telescope to find and break up kidney stones.
  • Ureterorenoscopy. This procedure uses a pencil-thin, flexible telescope to find and break up kidney stones.
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This involves surgery to remove larger stones by approaching them through the back, using an X-ray as a guide.

Kidney stones clinic at The Harley Street Clinic

The Kidney Stones Clinic at The Harley Street Clinic is a specialist centre led by Mr Ken Anson.

Its staff can offer rapid diagnostic assessment and a complete range of treatment options for kidney stone disease. In addition, the team investigate and treat other urological conditions including urinary infections, obstruction and cancer of the kidneys and ureters.

Find out more about the Kidney Stones Clinic

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Non-surgical kidney stone treatment options

Lithotripsy, is a non-surgical procedure often used as a first line treatment for kidney stones. It uses a high-intensity sound waves to breakdown kidney stones, and unlike surgical treatments for kidney stones lithotripsy does not require an incision to be made so patients can go home within a few hours of the procedure being conducted.

Our Kidney stones locations

The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital

The Portland Hospital

205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Chiswick Outpatients

Chiswick Outpatients

Bond House 347-353 Chiswick High Road W4 4HS London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.