Straight answers to the questions patients ask most often in the rooms.
Renal colic is consistently rated among the most severe types of acute pain, often described as worse than childbirth. The pain comes in waves, is not relieved by changing position, and is usually accompanied by nausea. Sudden severe loin-to-groin pain should be assessed promptly.
Most stones that are going to pass on their own do so within 4 to 6 weeks. Smaller stones (< 5 mm) pass sooner - often within a week. If the stone has not passed at 4-6 weeks, or if symptoms worsen, active treatment is offered rather than waiting longer.
Pass urine through a coffee filter or fine strainer, or a dedicated stone-collection container. If you catch even a small fragment, keep it dry in a clean container and bring it to your next appointment for composition analysis.
It is generally sensible to avoid long-haul flights with an untreated stone, because severe pain at 30,000 feet is not ideal. Short flights are usually fine. Dehydration during travel is a common trigger - drink generously.
No. Small stones < 4 mm often pass spontaneously. Small asymptomatic kidney stones can often be watched. Surgery is reserved for stones unlikely to pass, stones causing persistent or severe symptoms, obstructed kidneys, or stones associated with infection.
The best treatment depends on the size, location, and density of the stone, your general health, and your preferences. See the treatments hub for a direct comparison. Dr Kooner walks through the realistic options at your consultation.
Yes, in most cases. Flexible ureteroscopy with Holmium laser is commonly used for patients who cannot safely stop anticoagulation, because it avoids the renal puncture of PCNL and the shockwaves of ESWL. The exact plan is agreed with your cardiologist.
A stone that obstructs the kidney for a prolonged period, or is associated with infection, can damage kidney function. A single short episode of renal colic without infection rarely leaves any lasting damage.
Most stone operations - ureteroscopy, PCNL - are done under general anaesthetic. ESWL can be done under sedation or light general anaesthetic. Stent removal is usually done in the rooms under local anaesthetic gel.
A temporary ureteric stent is usually placed after ureteroscopy, and sometimes after PCNL, to reduce post-operative pain and allow the ureter to recover. Stents are usually removed 7-14 days later. See the stents page for what to expect.
ESWL: day case. Ureteroscopy: same day or one night. PCNL: typically one to two nights.
Desk work: within a few days for ureteroscopy and ESWL, 1-2 weeks for PCNL. Manual work or heavy lifting: after stent removal (URS) or about 4 weeks (PCNL).
Light walking is encouraged immediately. Running, gym, and heavy lifting: once the stent is out for URS; about 4 weeks for PCNL.
Without preventive measures, roughly half of patients form another stone within 5-10 years. With hydration, diet, and - where appropriate - targeted medication based on a metabolic workup, the risk can be meaningfully reduced. See the prevention hub.
Citrate in the urine inhibits calcium crystal formation, and some studies show a modest increase in urinary citrate with citrus drinks, though the trial evidence is limited. Home-made diluted lemon or lime water is a reasonable adjunct to overall fluid intake. For patients with persistently low urinary citrate, prescription potassium citrate is better evidenced.
No. Low-calcium diets increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones. Normal dietary calcium (1,000-1,200 mg/day) from food, spread across meals, is recommended. See the diet page.
Yes if you are a recurrent stone former (two or more stones), a young stone former (< 25), have a strong family history, a solitary kidney, or a rare stone type. The workup includes a 24-hour urine collection and fasting blood tests.
Phone the rooms on 02 8382 6980 or email Raji.Kooner@svha.org.au. You will need a GP referral for Medicare rebates.
St Vincent's Private (Darlinghurst), Mater Hospital (North Sydney), and Bowral. See the contact page for addresses and directions.
Yes. The rooms can provide a detailed quote including the operating fee, anaesthetic fee, and hospital fees, and can confirm Medicare rebates and any gap.
Yes. Dr Kooner regularly provides second opinions on stone diagnoses and proposed treatment plans. See the second opinion page for what to bring.
Arrange a consultation or request a second opinion on an acute stone, a recurrent stone problem, or a recommended procedure.