New Ultrasound Helps Pinpoint Kidney Stones

Kidney stones have a well-deserved reputation for being an extremely painful condition. Those who have experienced kidney stones know that relief can’t come fast enough.

With March being National Kidney Month, it’s an opportunity to turn the spotlight on a recent addition to The Urology Group that helps patients feel better faster: lithotripsy with ultrasound.

Lithotripsy (also called extra-corporal shock wave lithotripsy, or ESWL) uses high-energy shock waves to break kidney stones into tiny pieces, making them small enough to pass through the urinary tract and out of the body. The Urology Group performs more of these procedures than any other location in the country.

We now have a truly unique advantage: ultrasound technology “built in” to the lithotripsy equipment. The Urology Group is the only provider in the nation to offer this effective combination. By adding ultrasound to the lithotripsy procedure:

–  the type and location of kidney stones are more easily pinpointed;

–  patient alignment with the equipment can be adjusted to better target stones and minimize the impact on surrounding tissue;

–  physicians and technicians can better monitor the progress of the procedure.

As a result, the stone breakage rate improves and patients can begin feeling better sooner. They also have the assurance of knowing that our technicians work with more lithotripsy patients than anyone in the country and have a wealth of experience and expertise.

One in 10 people will experience kidney stones at some point in their lives, according to the National Kidney Foundation. With the number of patients we treat, we believe it’s important for both their comfort and well being to use ultrasound for the procedure –which ultimately gets them feeling better faster.