Kidney stones are hard deposits made from minerals such as calcium or waste products such as uric acid. They start small, but they can grow bigger as more minerals stick to them.

Some kidney stones often pass on their own without treatment. Other stones that are painful or that get stuck in your urinary tract sometimes need to be removed with surgery.

You might have a procedure or surgery to take out kidney stones if:

The stone is very large and can’t pass on its own.
You’re in a lot of pain.
The stone is blocking the flow of urine out of your kidney.
You have had many urinary tract infections because of the stone.

Types of Kidney Stone Procedures and Surgeries

These four treatments can be used on your kidney stones:

Shock wave lithotripsy
Ureteroscopy
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy
Open surgery