How Does Stone Location Influence Kidney Stone Treatment Options? – Dr. Arash Rafiei

You are not alone if you have been diagnosed with kidney stones. It’s a common condition that affects many people. And as with any health issue, understanding your treatment options is crucial. According to Dr. Arash Rafiei, a board-certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute, the location of the stone in your kidney or ureter significantly influences the treatment options.

Understanding How Does Stone Location Influence on Kidney Stone Treatment Options

Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of how does stone location influence kidney stone treatment options. As Dr. Rafiei explains, “…where the stone is located” plays a vital role in the decision made. If the stone is situated in the lower part of the ureter or kidney, urethroscopy and laser lithotripsy are often the chosen form of treatment.

Dr. Rafiei states, “If it’s in the lower part of the kidney, doing a shockwave therapy does not really empty out those stone fragments.” In these instances, the use of a urethroscope to break the stone into small pieces can be more beneficial, as it can ensure that small, sand-like fragments are formed for easier passage by the patient.

Upper Kidney Stone Treatment

What happens when the kidney stone is in the upper part of the kidney or ureter? “ESWL is a good option for them,” says Dr. Rafiei. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive treatment option that uses shock waves to break up stones so they can pass out of the body naturally in your urine.

Next-Level Treatment for Larger Stones

However, if the stone is very large, Dr. Rafiei outlines another treatment option: percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, or PCNL.

He explains, “For a very large stone, we have what’s called a PCNL that we can offer.” This treatment involves going through the patient’s back directly into the kidney to break the stone.

Navigating Treatment with Advanced Urology Institute

Navigating the basics as to how stone location influence kidney stone treatment options gives youan edge to faster treatment. Understanding your treatment options for kidney stones will empower you to make an informed decision on your path to wellness. But, of course, you don’t have to make this decision on your own. With the professional guidance of a urologist like Dr. Arash Rafiei and a team of skilled practitioners at Advanced Urology Institute, located in Orange City, FL, you will receive the highest level of care.

At Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, a team of experienced urologists are ready to walk with you every step of the way from diagnosis to treatment. So, join their network of satisfied patients and experience personalized care for your kidney stones today.

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Transcription:

My name is Arash Rafiei, I’m a board certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute. As far as the ESWL and urethroscopy goes, they’re both roughly about the same and again it depends on where the stone is located. 

If the stone is in the lower part of the ureter or in the lower part of the kidney, then I usually offer urethroscopy and laser lithotripsy because if it’s in the lower part of the kidney, doing a shockwave therapy does not really empty out those stone fragments. 

But if you use a urethroscope and actually break the stone in small pieces, you can get those pieces out or make sure they’re in very small sand-like fragments for the patient to pass it easily. But if the stone is in the upper part of the kidney or upper part of the ureter, ESWL is a good option for them. 

Again, if the stone is very large, there is another option which is called percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, which basically we have to go through the back of the patient directly into the kidney to break the stone. So for a large, very large stone, we have what’s called a PCNL that we can offer.