Lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones
Information for patients from the East Kent Lithotripsy Centre
You have been diagnosed with a kidney stone suitable for lithotripsy treatment. Your GP has referred you to the East Kent Lithotripsy Centre for this. This leaflet will explain the following.
What lithotripsy is.
What happens during and after treatment.
What the risks are to having the treatment
What the alternatives are.
We hope the leaflet will help to answer some of the questions you may have. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to a member of your healthcare team.
What is lithotripsy?
Lithotripsy is a shockwave treatment. A machine called a Lithotriptor, breaks your kidney stone into sand-like particles. These particles are passed from your body in your urine. The Lithotriptor breaks over 85% of all stones treated.
Lithotripsy uses focused shockwaves. These shockwaves are delivered through a water filled cushion, placed against your side to break up the stone. X-ray and ultrasound guidance target the stone.
Lithotripsy treatment does not actually remove the stone. The stones disintegrate and particles of stone pass out in your urine in the days following your treatment.
This is a day case procedure, so you can go home after it is complete.
There is no need to fast (not eat or drink) before your procedure.
Should I continue taking my usual medication before my procedure?
Lithotripsy can cause bleeding / bruising in your kidney. This can be more serious if you are taking blood thinning medication, such as:
Aspirin
Warfarin
Clopidogrel (Plavax)
Apixaban, or
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
If your GP has said it is safe to do so, you will need to stop taking these medications before your appointment.
If your GP says it is safe to do so, we recommend the following.
Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Plavax - stop taking seven days before your appointment.
Apixaban or Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) – stop taking three days before your appointment.
Warfarin – stop taking seven days before your appointment. Please contact your GP to arrange a blood test for the day before your appointment.
If you take Dabigatran (Pradaxa) or any other blood thinning medication not listed above, please contact the East Kent Lithotripsy Centre for advice.
If you are unable to stop your medication or have any questions, please contact the East Kent Lithotripsy Centre.
Please contact the East Kent Lithotripsy Centre before your procedure for advice if you have:
a pacemaker or any other electronic device inside your body;
a known urinary tract infection; or
any planned foreign travel within 2 weeks after your appointment.
What happens when I arrive for my appointment?
When you arrive at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, please come to the East Kent Lithotripsy Centre.
You will be offered a hospital gown to change into. It is helpful if you bring your own dressing gown to wear.
You will be asked to give a urine sample. Do not empty your bladder before your appointment.
Before treatment begins, you will have up-to-date imaging carried out, to check the position of your stone. This imaging is usually an x-ray. A stone's position often changes, and imaging allows careful planning of your procedure. You will be given information about the x-rays when you come to hospital for your treatment.
A specialist radiographer and nurse will check your x-rays. The x-rays will show if your stone is still in a position for lithotripsy treatment, and there are no reasons why you cannot have treatment.
If the radiographer and nurse decide that your treatment can begin, they will explain the procedure to you. They will ask for your consent to continue with treatment.
Why do I need to sign a consent form?
All patients must give permission before they receive any type of medical treatment, test, or examination. Consent is usually given when you sign the consent form before your treatment, but we may ask you to give it verbally.
You must give your consent voluntarily.
The hospital must give you all the information you need to make a decision about your treatment. This is so you can give us informed consent. If you have not been given this information, or you have but you still have questions, please speak to a member of staff.
You must be capable of giving consent. This means that you understand the information given to you and can make an informed decision.
When we ask you to give consent, please use this time to ask any questions you may still have. For more information, please go to the NHS Consent for Treatment web page. Remember, you can withdraw your consent for treatment at any time.
How long does the treatment take?
You will be lying flat for about 30 to 60 minutes, while your treatment takes place. But be prepared to be in the department for 2 to 3 hours in total.
Will the treatment hurt?
During your treatment you may feel like you are being flicked with an elastic band. You will hear and be aware of a tapping sensation, you may also feel a deeper discomfort in your kidney.
Patients experience of this treatment varies. Some patients feel little discomfort. If it becomes too painful, the treatment will be stopped.
What happens after my procedure?
After your treatment is complete, you are given advice on what to do if you have any concerns at home.
How will I feel after my procedure?
Most patients feel fine after their treatment, but you may feel some discomfort in the area treated. You can take your normal pain relief to relieve this, such as paracetamol. If the pain continues, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice.
What should I do when I return home?
It is important that you increase how much water you drink after your treatment. Drink two to three litres of water for the first day or two after your procedure. This will help the stone fragments to pass out of your system.
You can take your normal pain relief (for example paracetamol), as needed. If the pain continues, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice.
A member of the team will give you discharge advice before you leave hospital.
Will I have a follow-up appointment?
If you need a follow-up appointment, this will be arranged before you leave the hospital.
If the stone was broken during treatment, we will arrange for you to have an x-ray at your local hospital. This x-ray will check to see if the stone fragments have cleared.
It is important for you to go to any follow-up appointments.
When will I get my results?
The Stone Team will check your x-ray. A member of the team will contact you by telephone with your results. The results will also be sent to you by letter.
Are there any risks to this procedure?
Although a relatively safe treatment, lithotripsy is not without risk. Please read the following risks / complications before giving your consent for treatment. Source: British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS).
Common side effects (between 1 in 2 and 1 in 10 patients will experience the following)
Blood in your urine; which may last 1 to 2 days.
Pain, as small fragments of the stone pass out of your body.
Further lithotripsy treatment to clear any remaining stone(s).
Failure to break the stone.
Occasional side effects (between 1 in 10 and 1 in 50 patients will experience the following)
Urinary tract infection from bacteria released from the stone.
Bruising or blistering of the skin at the site of shockwave entry.
Stone fragments may get stuck in the ureter causing a blockage. The ureter is the tube between the kidney and the bladder. You may need to have further surgery to unblock the kidney or remove the stone fragment.
Rare side effects (between 1 in 50 and 1 in 250 patients will experience the following)
Kidney damage caused by severe bruising.
Severe infection needing:
hospital treatment with intravenous antibiotics; and
sometimes drainage of the kidney. This is done using a small drain placed through the back into the kidney or through the bladder into the kidney.
Damage to other organs, such as the pancreas, lungs, spleen, liver, and bowel.
If you have any of these side effects or have any concerns, please contact the:
Stone Unit, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
Telephone: 01227 866462
Email
Are there alternative treatments?
The following are alternatives to lithotripsy. Please discuss these with your doctor.
Ureteroscopic surgery performed with a telescope under general anaesthetic (you are asleep). This treatment breaks the stone with a laser.
Percutaneous (keyhole) surgery punctures the skin into your kidney to remove the stone.
Observation. If stones are less than 5mm, there is a chance (95 in every 100 cases) that the stone will pass without any treatment.
When can I return to my normal activities?
You may feel tired the day after your procedure, but you can carry out your normal daily activities.
If you had an injection of stronger painkiller during your treatment, for 24 hours you must not:
drive
operate heavy machinery, or
sign legal documents.
When can I return to work?
This will vary from patient to patient, and depend on your level of pain. If needed, please speak to your GP for advice.
Further information
For more information on stone removal, please read the following information produced by the BAUS.
British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS. Stone procedures
British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS). Stone Disease Patient Advisory Section
[Web sites last accessed 12 May 2026]
Keeping your appointment
Please call the number on your appointment letter if:
you need to cancel your appointment; or
the time and / or date of the appointment is unsuitable.
This will allow us to give your appointment to someone else, and help us keep waiting times to a minimum.
Patient Transport
You can find out if you are eligible for patient transport by phoning:
G4S bookings line
Freephone: 08000 960211 (24 hours a day)
References
[Web site last accessed 12 May 2026]
Ask 3 Questions
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What are my choices?
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