Urinary stones care

At Penn Medicine, our urologists have the highest level of training (fellowship training) in the latest kidney stone treatments.

Make an appointment Call 800-789-7366

Close up of female doctor providing stone treatment for male patient using lithotripter

Your partner in kidney and bladder stone health

Urinary stones—whether they are located in the kidney, ureter, or bladder—can be a source of significant discomfort and concern. While all stones originate in the kidneys, their impact on your health and the necessary course of treatment are often determined by where they travel within your urinary system.

At Penn Medicine, our urologists are national leaders in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of all types of urinary stones. We combine advanced imaging technology with a personalized approach to care, ranging from "watchful waiting" and medication to the most sophisticated, minimally invasive surgical techniques available in the region. Whether you are dealing with a small stone that may pass naturally or a complex stone requiring expert surgical intervention, our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to providing a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and getting you back to a pain-free life.

Conditions we treat

Our approach to urinary stone care

From rapid diagnosis to the latest surgical breakthroughs, we provide a full spectrum of care for urinary stones. Our multidisciplinary team of urologists, kidney specialists, radiologists, and nurse navigators works together to ensure you receive the most effective treatment plan and specialized services for your unique condition, prioritizing your comfort and long-term recovery.

Same-day diagnostics

Personalized treatment plans and medications

Expertise in noninvasive and minimally invasive methods

Prevention supported by collaboration

Leading-edge research

Surgical and nonsurgical urinary stone treatments

If your unique urinary stones case does not respond to surveillance or medication, your provider may advise you to pursue a procedure for treatment. We offer a surgical, minimally invasive, and noninvasive treatment options designed to effectively remove kidney, ureter, and bladder stones and provide lasting relief.

While we often begin with ureteroscopy—a procedure where a tiny camera and laser are guided through the urinary tract to break up stones without incisions—our team is equally expert in advanced interventions like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for more complex cases.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

This minimally invasive treatment removes large kidney stones through a small opening in the back.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

This treatment uses shock waves to break kidney stones into small pieces that pass in your urine.