Kidney Stone Center

Stone basket. Summit Urology has one of the most advanced Kidney Centers in the United States. We are one of the few locations in the country using the very newest lithotripsy (shockwave) technology. Plus, more than 90% of procedures can be done on site to maximize your comfort, privacy and convenience (no trip to the hospital is needed).

Kidney stones are serious and need professional care
A kidney stone is a rock or particle of crystal in the urinary tract. People of all ages can get kidney stones, which are one of the most painful medical conditions you can experience. In fact, 10% of men and 5% of women ages 30–50 will get kidney stones. Children and teenagers can also suffer from kidney stones.

Advanced lithotripsy (shockwave treatment) is available right here in Bloomington!
This amazing treatment uses shockwaves generated outside the body to pulverize kidney stones so they can be passed with minimal discomfort. Summit Urology is the first clinic in the area to offer this advanced level of care.

The new machines are a huge advancement over the older, “water bath” machines. Our machine is a German-developed Dornier lithotriptor. It has more advanced technology that makes treating your kidney stones more efficient, comfortable and convenient. For example: Lithotriptor table can be used for many treatments.

More types of stones can be treated, including very painful ones in the ureter
There is no incision
You can go home the same day
Fewer X-rays are needed and water baths are not required
The lithotriptor table can be used for laser treatment of other stones at the same time, without having to move the patient.

Other kidney stone treatments available at Summit Urology
Laser kidney treatment.

Holmium laser treatment—A small 200 micron glass fiber transmits laser energy directly to a visualized stone.
Flexible ureteroscopy—Reaching the stone by using probes and a fiber optic laser passed through the bladder to break up stones.
Surgery—Procedures with minimal incisions are possible when large stones are located in the kidneys (called a percutaneous nephrostolithotomy). Rarely, some patients may require open stone surgery (a larger incision and more hospital time is required).
Observation—For small stones that aren’t painful, a “wait and see” approach may be best. In this case, X-rays—often done at Summit Urology—are used to track the stone’s progress.

Links to help you learn more

General Urology
UrologyChannel www.urologychannel.com
American Foundation for Urologic Disease www.afud.org

Which of these statements is true?
	Kidney stones never get very big.
	Kidney stones will disappear on their own.
	Kidney stones can be mistaken for other diseases, such as appendicitis, gastroenteritis, colitis, back pain and other bowel disorders.
	Family history has nothing to do with whether or not you’ll get kidney stones.