Understanding Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a hard mass formed from minerals and salts that build up in your urine. While small stones may pass on their own, larger or stuck stones cause severe pain and need treatment. At Riverstone Urology, Dr. Libby focuses on fast pain relief combined with prevention to keep stones from coming back.
Symptoms You Should Know
Kidney stone pain hits suddenly and can be one of the worst experiences you'll have. Common signs include:
- Severe pain in your side or back below the rib cage
- Pain that radiates to your lower belly or groin
- Painful urination or blood in your urine
- Nausea, vomiting, or fever
- Constant need to urinate or urinating very frequently
If you have these symptoms, call our office at (281) 822-4900 for urgent evaluation.
Types of Kidney Stones
Different stones form from different minerals. Understanding your stone type helps prevent future ones:
- Calcium oxalate stones – most common, often linked to diet and hydration
- Uric acid stones – related to gout and high-purine diets
- Struvite stones – associated with repeated infections
- Cystine stones – rare, genetic condition requiring special management
Evaluation & Diagnosis
When you come in with stone pain, Dr. Libby orders imaging (CT scan) to locate the stone and measure its size. This guides treatment choice. We also test your urine to identify the stone type and check for infection—both critical for your recovery plan.
Treatment Options
ESWL (Shock Wave Lithotripsy)
Sound waves break stones into smaller pieces that pass naturally. Performed in our office or surgery center. Works best for stones smaller than 2cm. Recovery is quick with minimal downtime.
Ureteroscopy with Laser
A thin scope guides a laser to break stones in your ureter or bladder. Minimally invasive with high success rates. Often done under light sedation. Good for medium-sized stones.
PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrostomy Lithotripsy)
For large, complex stones or severe blockage, we create a small passage to your kidney and use ultrasound to pulverize the stone. More involved but highly effective for difficult cases.
Prevention: The Long-Term Plan
Once your stone is treated, preventing new ones is the real goal. Dr. Libby creates a custom prevention plan based on your stone type and urine analysis:
- Drink plenty of water—enough to keep urine light colored
- Adjust your diet based on stone type (less salt, oxalate, or purines as needed)
- Take medications to prevent recurrence if recommended
- Follow-up imaging to monitor for new stones
- Regular office visits to check urine chemistry
With the right approach, many patients prevent future stones completely. Dr. Libby works with you to make prevention realistic and sustainable.
Living After Stone Treatment
Most patients recover quickly from stone treatment. You'll have clear instructions on activity, pain control, and when to watch for problems like fever or sudden pain. Follow-up appointments confirm your stone is gone and your kidney is healing well.