Kidney Stone Surgery in Athens, GA
Many individuals will encounter painful kidney stones at some point in their lifetime, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is an excellent way to break up these stones without requiring any type of surgery to be performed. Although its title may sound rather intimidating, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a very simple procedure that is frequently performed by urologists like Dr. David C. Allen.
Meet Our Urologist
Board-certified Urologist David C. Allen, MD founded The Urology Clinic in 1984 and the Georgia Lithotripsy and Laser Center in 1990, both in Athens, GA. He is board-certified by the American Board of Urology and has over 35 years of experience in the treatment and diagnosis of kidney stones. If you’re struggling with pain or discomfort that may be caused by kidney stones, then Dr. Allen may be able to help you, too! Contact The Urology Clinic today to schedule an appointment at our urology clinic in Athens, GA. Give us a call at (706) 543-2718.
How Does ESWL Work?
Patients will begin by lying on their back with a water-filled cushion placed underneath them for the shock waves to travel through safely. Dr. Allen will give a sedative or local anesthetic to help keep the individual comfortable during their ESWL.
Using X-ray or ultrasound imaging, Dr. Allen will identify the precise location of the kidney stone(s) and begin to target this area for the next 30-45 minutes. During this time, the kidney stone is slowly broken down into tiny fragments as 1-2 shock waves are administered from outside the patient’s body. The procedure is not overly painful, but there will be some discomfort, and patients will be asked to lie still throughout the treatment process. If this becomes difficult, patients need to communicate with Dr. Allen about any issues that you experience during the procedure. Additional anesthetics can often be given to improve the patient’s comfort level.
No Hospital Stay Needed
Unlike with surgery, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that patients can return home shortly after their procedure is complete. Before heading home, patients will be instructed to:
- Drink plenty of fluids to help their stone fragments pass
- Strain their urine for stone fragments that can be analyzed by Dr. Allen
- Take pain medication or antibiotics as prescribed by Dr. Allen
- Attend follow up appointments to review symptoms and determine if the stone has passed
What Are the Side Effects of ESWL?
Many patients become alarmed when they notice a red tinge to their urinary in the days following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. It is perfectly normal for a small amount of blood to appear, and the patient is also likely to notice bruising at the treatment site as well as mild back pain. All of these effects should dissipate over a few days but should be addressed by Dr. Allen if they begin to worsen.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has proven effective in 70-90% of all cases after three months. However, it is not a guarantee for every individual with kidney stones, and some large fragments from ESWL may require further treatment from Dr. Allen to have them broken down further or removed from the body.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Athens, GA
To learn more about extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and if you may qualify for this procedure, please contact Dr. Allen today by calling (706) 543-2718 to make an appointment in Athens, GA. During this consultation, Dr. Allen will be able to give more insight into ESWL and any other treatment options he believes will bring you the most effective relief from your kidney stones.