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Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidney stones are a common and painful condition affecting millions worldwide. These hard deposits from minerals and salts build up inside your kidneys. These stones can form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing the minerals to crystalise and stick together. They can be incredibly painful and potentially lead to kidney damage or disease if not promptly treated.

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, such as severe pain or blood in your urine, seek medical help.

Our clinic provides comprehensive diagnostics and treatments for kidney stones. Contact us now to book an appointment.

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Treatment Approaches to Kidney Stones

The diagnosis of kidney stones usually involves a medical history assessment, physical examination, lab tests, and imaging tests such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scans. Upon diagnosis, treatment options vary depending on the size, location, and type of kidney stone.

Lifestyle Changes

For smaller stones, changes in diet and lifestyle may be sufficient:

  • Dietary Adjustments: These may include reducing sodium and protein intake and increasing the intake of calcium-rich foods.
  • Staying Hydrated: Drinking fluids helps dilute the substances that can form stones.
  • Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help move stones along the urinary tract.

Medication

Certain medications may facilitate stone passage or prevent new stones from forming:

  • Types of Medication: Commonly used medications include alpha-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and medicines to control urine pH or prevent stone formation.
  • How Medications Work: They can help relax the muscles in the ureter, allowing stones to pass more easily or alter the conditions that cause stones to form.

Non-Invasive Procedures

These are used when lifestyle changes and medications are insufficient:

  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This treatment uses sound waves to break stones into smaller pieces, which you can pass into the urine.
  • Ureteroscopy: A thin tube equipped with a camera is passed through the urinary tract to locate the stone, which is broken up or removed.

Surgical Procedures

These are generally reserved for larger stones or when other treatment methods have failed:

  • Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A small incision is made in the back to remove the stone using a nephroscope.
  • Open Surgery: This method is rare but may be used for particularly large stones or complex cases.

Recovery and Aftercare

Patients may experience mild discomfort following treatment as smaller stone fragments are passed. Here are some tips for recovery and aftercare:

  • Stay well-hydrated to help pass any remaining stone fragments.
  • Take prescribed medications as directed.
  • Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor healing and check for potential stone recurrence.

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Dr Lee Fang Jann image

Dr Lee is a urologist and kidney transplant surgeon with a broad-based expertise of all urological disorders

He has subspecialty focus on men’s health and male infertility, and special interest in minimally invasive prostate enlargement therapy and kidney stone treatment. Dr Lee has received numerous awards for service excellence such as the Service With A Heart Award (2006-2008, 2011) and the Singapore Health Quality Service Award (2016).

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Singapore)
  • Membership of The Royal College of Surgeons (Edin)
  • Master of Medicine (Surgery) (Singapore)
  • Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine (Urology)
  • Clinical fellowship at Oxford Transplant Centre in the UK
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Prior to entering private practice, Dr Lee served in the public sector for 16 years at SGH, where he initiated dedicated clinics evaluating and treating patients with complex men’s health and fertility issues. He also led the Renal Transplant Program and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy service as Surgical Director.

Apart from clinical work, Dr Lee is active in academia and believes in the importance of grooming the next generation of doctor. He was Senior Clinical Lecturer at NUS’ Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and currently, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Duke-NUS Medical School. Dr Lee is also regularly invited to share his experiences locally and regionally through lectures, workshops and surgical demonstrations.

Our Clinic Locations

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Farrer Park Medical Centre, #08-05
1 Farrer Park Station Rd, Singapore 217562
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Mon – Fri: 8:30am to 5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am to 12:30pm

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3 Mount Elizabeth, #11-16 Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
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Mon – Fri: 8:30am to 5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am to 12:30pm

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How painful is the treatment for kidney stones?
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    The level of discomfort varies based on the type of treatment. Non-invasive procedures and surgeries are generally performed under anaesthesia to minimise pain.

    How long does it take to recover from kidney stone treatment?
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    Recovery times vary depending on the treatment method. After non-invasive treatments or medication therapy, recovery is usually quick. Surgical procedures may require a few weeks for full recovery.

    Can kidney stones be treated without surgery?
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    Many kidney stones can be treated effectively with lifestyle changes, medication, or non-invasive procedures such as ESWL or ureteroscopy.

    Are there any side effects to kidney stone treatment?
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    Side effects depend on the type of treatment. They may include discomfort during recovery, bruising, or minor bleeding. Your urologist will discuss potential side effects before treatment.