Kidney stones are a painful and common affliction. Fortunately, there is a treatment option that can help manage the condition without the need for surgery. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is an intra-operative procedure designed to treat kidney stones, and it has been used successfully to break down kidney stones and reduce pain. This article will discuss the benefits of using ESWL for kidney stone treatment.
What Is ESWL?
ESWL is an acronym for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy—a minimally invasive procedure used to break down kidney stones into smaller fragments. During this procedure, ultrasonic waves are used to break up the stone into small particles, which can then be passed through your urinary tract without causing any significant pain or discomfort.
Safe & Effective
One of the biggest advantages of using ESWL to treat kidney stones is that it’s safe and effective. Unlike traditional surgery, there is no risk of infection or other complications associated with ESWL procedures. Additionally, because the procedure uses sound waves instead of cutting into your body, there is the minimal recovery time and you can return to your normal activities shortly after having the procedure done.
No Anesthesia Needed
Another benefit of using ESWL as a treatment option is that it does not require anesthesia. Because this procedure does not involve cutting into your body or removing any tissue, you can be awake during the entire process and you do not need to worry about potential risks associated with anesthesia. Additionally, because you are awake during the entire procedure, you can provide feedback on how you’re feeling throughout in order to ensure that everything goes smoothly during your treatment session.
No Hospital Stay Required
The best part about ESWL as a treatment option for kidney stones is that it does not require an overnight hospital stay—you can usually have it done on an outpatient basis in less than one hour! This makes it an ideal solution if you want a quick and easy way to get rid of your kidney stones without having to spend several days in the hospital recovering from surgery or dealing with other post-operative complications such as infections or blood clots. Plus, since ESWL requires no incisions or injections, there are no stitches required either!
To sum up
Overall, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a safe and effective method for treating kidney stones without requiring major surgery or long stays in hospitals or rehabilitation centers. If you’re considering different options for treating your kidney stone problem then make sure to speak with a doctor about whether ESWL might be right for you!
