Treatment for Stones that don\'t pass About 10% of stones don\'t pass on their own and need to be removed. Methods include:

Lithotripsy is the least invasive and most commonly used. After the stone is located ultrasonic sound waves are used to shatter the stone into fragments        small enough to pass. An anesthetic or pain killer is usually need as this procedure is causes moderate pain in many patients.

Ureteral Stenting uses a small metal tube inserted through the bladder into the ureter to keep the ureter open so a stone may pass through it.

Ureteroscopy. Your doctor inserts a small scope through the urethra into the bladder and looks into the ureter. Once the stone is seen it is either grabbed         with a small cage like device or shattered with a laser. This procedure will also require anesthesia or pain medication.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the microscopic surgical removal of a kidney stone from the kidney. This procedure may be required to remove a large         stone from the kidney or any place that lithotripsy won\'t work.

AVOIDING KIDNEY STONES

Drink plenty of fluids (at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day) unless your doctor has you on fluid restriction for other problems.

Persons at risk should decrease consumption of oxalate-rich foods such as nuts, beets, cola drinks, excess vitamin C containing foods and beverages,         leafy greens and chocolate.

If you have frequent attacks your doctor may prescribe diuretics (water pills) that will reduce the calcium in the urine.

If you have uric acid kidney stones your doctor may prescribe a medication called allopurinol to decrease uric acid levels.