Kidney stones
Medical expulsive therapy for small stones; ureteroscopy or PCNL for larger ones; a metabolic work-up to prevent the next.
Medically reviewed by Guillaume Farah, MD · Last reviewed October 2026
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Step 1 of 4
Pain and a scan
Day 1A scan shows the stone's size and where it is. That decides whether it's likely to pass.
What you do
Drink plenty of water and strain your urine to catch the stone.
Book a visitWhat Dr. Farah does
Reviews your scan, often the same day.
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Step 2 of 4
Wait, or treat it
Days to weeksSmall stones often pass with medicine that relaxes the tube from the kidney. Larger ones are removed with a thin scope passed up the natural channel, with no cut on the skin, usually as a same-day procedure. Very large stones are removed through a small opening in the back.
What you do
Call right away for fever or pain you can't control.
Book a visitWhat Dr. Farah does
Removes the stone and breaks it up with a laser if needed.
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Step 3 of 4
Stopping the next one
AfterTests on your stone and urine show why you form stones and what to change.
What you do
Follow a simple drink and diet plan.
Book a visitWhat Dr. Farah does
Sets up your prevention plan.
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Step 4 of 4
The data
Medical expulsive therapy (alpha-blockers) for distal ureteral stones; ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) by size and location; 24-hour urine metabolic evaluation for recurrent stone formers.
Each study link opens the newest results on PubMed.
- Ureteroscopy vs shock-wave lithotripsy (opens in new tab) Stone-free rates by stone size
- Metabolic evaluation and stone prevention (opens in new tab) 24-hour urine-guided therapy
Seen within 24 to 48 hours.
Offices in North Charleston, Summerville and Nexton. Second opinions are welcome.
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