Contact number: 020 7806 4060
What is lithotripsy for kidney stone removal?
Lithotripsy or shockwave kidney stone removal, is a non-surgical procedure that uses shockwaves to break up kidney stones into tiny fragments that can come out naturally in your wee. This is performed by using pressure waves using x-ray and ultrasound over the kidney stone, meaning there is no need for incisions.
This non-surgical, minimally invasive method is used to help break up stones under 10mm within the urinary system. It will relieve the pain and symptoms of the kidney stones by breaking up the stone and letting you pass it naturally. This procedure is performed as a day case so you won’t need to spend the night in hospital and as it is non-surgical it has a minimal recovery time.
Located in St John’s Wood (NW8), our hospital offers lithotripsy kidney stone removal with modern technology and a focus on patient comfort.
Kidney stones can cause several symptoms, including:
- Severe pain that comes and goes (almost always on one side)
- Pain near the groin, pelvis, or abdomen
- Pain whilst urinating
- Blood in your pee
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever and chills
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should speak to your GP or urologist to be tested for kidney stones.
Shockwave Kidney Stone Removal at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
Our doctors use shockwaves, focussed on the area of your kidney stone, to quickly disintegrate the stones into tiny pieces which you can then wee out naturally. You may be offered up to three sessions to break up the stones to help relieve your symptoms. This treatment only involves mild discomfort and has a quick recovery time, meaning you can be back to your normal self sooner .
In all but very rare cases, patients will go home the same-day or next-day and can be back at work as soon as the next day.
Why choose us for lithotripsy in London?
- Expert Radiographers: Our team has extensive experience in performing lithotripsy, ensuring precise and efficient care.
- Specialist Urologists: Consultant urologists will offer you a bespoke treatment plan suitable for your condition
- Non-surgical kidney stone treatment: Shockwave treatment avoids the need for surgical incisions, reducing recovery times and discomfort.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: We use advanced technology to deliver accurate diagnosis and treatment in a comfortable setting.
- Accessible Location: Conveniently based in NW8, we serve patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and the wider London area.
Our dedicated team is committed to helping you achieve relief from kidney stones and supporting your journey to recovery.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lithotripsy (Shockwave Kidney Stone Removal)
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), a well-connected area of North West London. We are conveniently accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and the surrounding areas.
By Tube:
- St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
- Finchley Road (NW3) and Kilburn stations (NW6) on the Jubilee Line provide excellent connections.
By Bus:
- Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46, 82, and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station, just a short walk from the hospital.
- Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187 stop close to the hospital’s Circus Road entrance.
- Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189 stop near the junction where Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road, providing easy access.
Major Roads:
If you’re travelling from NW3 or NW6, major routes such as Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road offer a direct approach to the hospital.
Our hospital’s location ensures convenient access for patients across London, particularly those in NW8, NW3, and NW6 postcodes.
Kidney stones can be made of different substances:
Calcium oxalate: These stones are the most common (around 80%). There are many reasons for these developing, including:
- Not drinking enough water
- Eating a diet that’s too high in protein, salt, or sugar
- Being overweight
- Having a digestive disease such as IBD, Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis
- Having had weight loss surgery
Uric acid: Uric acid is a waste product that forms when your body breaks down chemicals called purines. If you have high levels of uric acid, crystals form, which combine with other substances to create a stone. These stones tend to run in families, but are also linked to:
- Chemotherapy
- Conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes
- A diet high in salt and sugar
- Weight loss surgery
- Taking certain medications, such as diuretics and immune suppressants
Struvite: Struvite stones are not that common and are related to chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some bacteria make the urine less acidic and more alkaline. Struvite stones can form in alkaline urine. These stones are often large and grow very quickly.
Cystine: These are caused by a rare genetic disorder called cystinuria which causes a substance called Cystine to leak into your urine. Cystine is an insoluble amino acid, so it doesn’t break down, but clumps together into stones instead. These tend to be larger than other stones and will keep recurring, so this condition needs lifelong management. These stones often start forming in young adulthood, but some people will get them when they’re still children or even babies.
Yes, certain sizes of kidney stones can be effectively treated with shockwave lithotripsy. This non-surgical procedure uses external shockwaves to break the stones into smaller fragments, making them easier to pass in your urine. It is suitable for stones that are less than 10mm in diameter either in the kidney or the upper ureter
Your first step is to book an appointment with one of our consultant urologists. They will discuss your symptoms, run any necessary tests, and determine the best approach for treating your kidney stones.
If they think you would be a good candidate for lithotripsy, they will refer you to our lithotripter who will asses you.
If you have a morning appointment, have a very light breakfast of tea/coffee and toast.
If you have an afternoon appointment, you should finish your breakfast by 8am and not have anything else to drink before your procedure.
Once you have checked in with the reception, you will be asked to sign a consent form and taken through to the waiting room.
You may be sent for an abdominal x-ray prior to your procedure and you may be given some pain relief. You will then be asked to to like on on the table either on your back, your side or your front. The radiographer will then apply a gel to your skin.
During your treatment you will be asked to breath as normal and stay still. The radiographer will the place the device on your body to locate the stone. Each pressure wave will feel like someone is flicking your skin with an elastic band, but this shouldn’t hurt.
Shockwave kidney stone removal usually lasts about 30-40 minutes for each session. Lithotripsy is a day case procedure so you will be able to go home after the treatment.
Some patients may require additional sessions to complete the treatment.
After your treatment, you’ll be asked to rest in the recovery area and drink plenty of fluids.
You may experience some bruising/ reddening over the treatment area but that is nothing to be concerned about as this is normal. It is also normal to see some blood in your urine after your treatment and will pass after a few days.
If you experience discomfort, you can take pain relief but you should avoid aspirin.
If you experience any fever, shivering or feel unwell you should contact your GP or your urologist as this maybe a sign of an infection.
After your treatment you should rest for the remainder of the day and return to your normal activities and work when you feel able. You should aim to drink at least 2 litres of water a day following lithotripsy.
It’s important to keep as active as you can during the first days following treatment as this will help move the fine stone fragments through your system.
Recovery from lithotripsy is generally very quick. As it is a day procedure, you will be able to go home on the same day and resume normal activities within a day or two. Your consultant will provide specific aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and help prevent the formation of future stones.
Shockwave kidney stone removal does not hurt, but some patients describe it as feeling like being twanged with an elastic band. It should only be mildly uncomfortable.
Shockwave lithotripsy involves using a machine called a lithotripter to target the kidney stones with sound waves. These sound waves will break the stone into little pieces which will make it easier to pass. This method doesn’t use surgery to treat the kidney stones.
The majority of people with kidney stones would be eligible for lithotripsy, but there some people who cannot have this treatment, including:
- People on anticoagulation medication who have not stopped it 7 days before
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you have a UTI
- Are over 135kg
- Have hypertension (high blood pressure)