Treatment For Kidney & Bladder Stones
In Glens Falls, NY

Evaluation and Management of Kidney Stones

​

Kidney stones are a common and often painful condition that occurs when minerals and salts in the urine form solid crystals in the urinary tract. While some stones pass on their own, others can cause significant pain, blockages, or infections that require medical intervention. At our Glens Falls practice, we provide comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and long-term prevention strategies for patients with kidney stones.

​

Understanding Kidney Stones

​

Kidney stones vary in size and composition, and symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain in the back or side, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty urinating. Some stones are found incidentally on imaging even in the absence of symptoms.

​

Our Evaluation Approach

​

Diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history and symptom review. We use a variety of tools to assess the presence, size, location, and impact of kidney stones, including:

​

• Urinalysis: to detect blood, infection, or crystals

• Blood tests: to check kidney function and identify metabolic risk factors

• Imaging studies: such as low-dose non-contrast CT scans, renal ultrasounds, or X-rays (KUB) to visualize stones and assess for obstruction

​

Imaging is key to guiding treatment decisions, as the size and location of the stone influence whether observation or intervention is appropriate.

​

Treatment Options 

​

We tailor treatment to the individual, considering factors such as stone size, location, patient symptoms, and overall health. Initial management may include:

​

• Medical Expulsive Therapy (MET): using medications to help relax the ureter and promote stone passage

• Pain management and hydration: to support spontaneous passage in select cases

​

If intervention is needed, we will determine which procedure may work best for you base on the size, location, and composition of you kidney stone. We offer several minimally invasive procedures including:

​

• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): non-invasive treatment using sound waves to break up stones

• Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy: using a thin scope and laser to break and remove stones

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): for large or complex stones, involving a small incision in the back to access and remove the stone

​

Patients with bothersome bladder stones who desire intervention may be a candidate for a cystolithalopaxy. 

​

Prevention and Long-Term Management

​

For patients with recurrent kidney stones, prevention is key. We offer metabolic evaluations including a 24-hour urine collection to identify potentially modifiable risk factors.

​

Based on these results, we provide personalized recommendations including:

​

• Dietary modifications

• Hydration goals

• Medications to reduce recurrence risk

​

Our goal is not only to treat existing stones but to help you prevent future episodes. We are proud to offer expert care for kidney stone disease to patients in Glens Falls, Saratoga, and the surrounding Capital and Adirondack regions. If you're experiencing symptoms of a kidney stone or have a history of recurrent stones, contact us for a thorough evaluation and personalized care plan.