CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Kidney stones
Also referred to as nephrolithiasis, if kidney stones are causing you pain and discomfort, we can help diagnose and treat them.
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.
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.
Kidney stones tests & scans
Ureterorenoscopy
Kidney stone removal. This procedure uses a pencil-thin, flexible telescope (ureterorenoscope) to find and break up kidney stones
MAG3 renogram
From complex kidney surgery to diagnostic imaging and minor procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Kidney stones treatments
Lithotripsy
EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY STONES
A non-invasive treatment used to break up kidney stones
Nephrectomy
SURGICAL REMOVAL OF A KIDNEY
This surgical procedure is performed to treat kidney cancer as well as other kidney diseases and injuries
Pyeloplasty
SURGERY TO REPAIR A NARROW URETEROPELVIC JUNCTION
A procedure to repair a narrowing in the junction where the kidney joins the ureter
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
KEYHOLE SURGERY FOR KIDNEY STONE REMOVAL
PCNL is an alternative option when other procedures like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are not possible
Nephrostomy
PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMY
If your urine is being blocked by stones or other obstructions, inserting a tube into your kidney can help to drain it
Ureteric stent
A plastic tube that is inserted into your ureters, which are the tubes that carry urine from your kidney to your bladder
Our Kidney stones locations
Kidney Stones Clinic
18 Devonshire Street W1G 7AQ London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.