Kidney stones are small, solidified nodules of minerals located in the kidneys. They can range from being little and without symptoms (meaning you never even find out they exist) to large enough to induce unbearable degrees of pain and perhaps even chronic kidney disease. Although some people will never experience this problem, for others it may be a debilitating, reoccurring issue of chronic pain.
If you have actually had a kidney stone attack, you know how painful and incapacitating it can be. A number of stones are little enough to be passed through the urinary system and expelled with your urine. Others, though, are too big to eliminate by natural means. These bigger stones necessitate splitting up before they may be successfully passed.
Because of the incomplete efficacy of conventional treatments for such bigger kidney nodules, shockwave treatment is fast becoming an accessible, non-invasive, inexpensive solution that’s been proven successful in the removal of kidney stones and numerous other urological ailments.
Within this blog post, we will check out the mechanics of shockwave therapy and its advantages. So read on to find out all about shockwave treatment for kidney stones– what it is, exactly why it works, prospective negative reactions and more.
What is Shockwave Therapy for Kidney Stones?
Shock Wave therapy, also called extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), is a kind of medical therapy utilized to handle a number of medical disorders, including kidney stones, fasciitis pain, plantar heel pain and a wide range of joint pain injuries.
As a matter of fact, shockwave therapy is most typically applied to relieve big kidney stones, about two centimeters in diameter or larger, that don’t show calcium accumulation and are not situated close to the end of your ureter. Typical kidneys remove salts and wastes with urine, yet for those with kidney stones, the salts, minerals and acids build up in the kidney, causing it to get irritated and uncomfortable.
So Just How Does Shockwave Therapy Resolve Kidney Stones?
Shockwave treatment works by sending shock waves of acoustic energy through your body to break down nodules and shatter them into smaller pieces that may be more comfortably passed via the kidneys. This therapy is most successful when the stones are larger, softer and less calcified. Nodules that satisfy these criteria may be broken into tiny fragments that may then easily be passed through the urinary tract.
Advantages of Shockwave Treatment for Kidney Stones
Listed here are just a few of the advantages of shockwave treatment for kidney stones:
Extremely reliable for big nodules – Shockwave therapy can be remarkably effective for treating big kidney stones that are too large to successfully pass through the urinary tract.
Less intrusive than surgical procedures – While shockwave treatment is minimally invasive, it is much less so than other alternatives. ESWL is less invasive than surgery and consequently less dangerous, uncomfortable and pricey.
No anesthetic needed – In contrast to other treatments such as surgical procedures, no anesthesia is needed during shockwave treatment.
A fewer number of negative effects – Considering that this therapy is less invasive, shockwave therapy brings a fewer number of negative effects than surgery, and no major side effects.
Side Effects of Shockwave Therapy for Kidney Stones
As with all therapies for kidney stones, shockwave treatment might include several negative side effects from the treatment:
- Discomfort – The most common negative side effect of shockwave therapy is gentle pain. You might experience discomfort in your abdominal area or back in the few days after the treatment. You might likewise experience pain in your side or shoulder if the shockwaves inadvertently hit your spinal column.
- Nausea – Like many invasive treatments, there’s a chance you will feel upset or vomit after the treatment.
- Urinary system infection – While uncommon, you might develop a urinary tract infection after the therapy, in which instance you’ll experience discomfort when urinating. If the condition is left with no treatment, it may result in a kidney infection and kidney damage.
- Injury to organs – While rare, the shockwaves can mistakenly strike close-by organs such as the kidneys, liver or spleen. If this occurs, your therapist will stop the procedure and closely keep an eye on you for any negative side effects.
- Complications – In extremely rare cases, complications like blood clots, kidney damage and bowel blockage have been observed.
How Much Does Shockwave Therapy Cost Me?
Shockwave therapy is a procedure that’s frequently used as a last option to eliminate large kidney stones that can’t be broken up with prescription medication. Depending upon your insurance policy and the level of coverage you select, the procedure can cost anywhere in between one thousand and ten thousand dollars.
However, if you experience regular kidney stones or have quite little kidney stones, you might be approved for a more affordable “electrohydraulic lithotripsy” (EHL) treatment. This treatment is less expensive and is often covered by insurance coverage. Once you have an idea whether you qualify for EHL or ECSWL, you can use online finance calculators to approximate the cost of the treatment.
Is Shockwave Treatment The Best Choice For You?
Shockwave treatment is well-suited for people who have large kidney stones, but not calcified stones. Before you opt for this therapy, your medical professional will most likely suggest that you take prescription medication to dissolve the nodules naturally.
If this medication isn’t successful, they may suggest that you then go through shockwave lithotripsy. However, before choosing this therapy, you should think about your other choices. As mentioned above, shockwave treatment is only appropriate for individuals who have big kidney nodules yet not calcified nodules. If you have calcium-containing nodules, then shockwave therapy isn’t suitable for you.
Give Fanti + Associates Physiotherapists a call soon and we can schedule eliminating your kidney stone discomfort. Now booking new clients!