Shock wave lithotripsy may be used on a person who has a kidney stone that is causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones that are between 4 mm (0.16 in.) and 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter are most likely to be treated with ESWL.
The procedure may work best for kidney stones in the kidney or in the part of the ureter close to the kidney. Your surgeon may try to push the stone back into the kidney with a small tool (ureteroscope) and then use the procedure.
Shock wave lithotripsy is usually not used if you:
Shock wave therapy uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces that can more easily travel through the urinary tract and pass from the body.
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