Kidney stone treatment in Salt Lake City
Small kidney stones can pass without a procedure. Others need treatment because of their size, location, or the symptoms they cause. Elisabeth Ferlic, MD, is a board-certified urologist who treats kidney stones in women and men across the Salt Lake Valley. Her approach to kidney stone treatment has two parts: clear the stone you have, then find out why it formed.
Elisabeth Ferlic, MD
Board-certified urologist · Fellowship-trained in voiding dysfunction and female pelvic medicine
In this guide
- Kidney stone symptoms
- What are kidney stones?
- Why see Dr. Ferlic for kidney stones
- What are my options?
- Kidney stone treatment options
- What causes kidney stones
- How kidney stones are diagnosed
- What to expect
- How to prevent kidney stones
- Benefits and risks, side by side
- What happens at the first visit?
- Kidney stone FAQs
Kidney stone symptoms
Pain comes first for most people. It usually starts in the back or side, below the ribs, travels toward the lower abdomen and groin as the stone moves, and comes in waves. Other kidney stone symptoms include:
Changes in urination
- Blood in the urine, which can look pink, red, or brown
- Pain or burning with urination
- A frequent urge to urinate, often passing only small amounts
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Other signs
- Nausea and vomiting
- In men, pain at the tip of the penis
Some stones turn up on a scan ordered for another reason. A silent stone like this still calls for a talk with a urologist about whether to watch it or treat it.
When to seek emergency care
Go to an emergency room, or call 911, if you have stone symptoms along with any of the following:
- Fever or chills, which can mean an infection
- Pain so severe that you can't sit still or find relief
- Vomiting that keeps you from holding down fluids
- Trouble urinating, or no urine at all
An infection behind a blockage needs treatment the same day. Don't wait for an office appointment.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones (the clinical term is nephrolithiasis) are hard clusters of crystals that form inside the kidney. Urine carries minerals and salts such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. With too much of these substances and too little fluid, they stick together and harden. A stone can be as small as a grain of sand or, rarely, larger than a golf ball.
A stone that stays in the kidney often causes no symptoms, and it can grow there for months or years. The trouble starts when it moves into the ureter, the narrow tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Even a tiny stone can block the ureter; the blockage is what causes the pain.
Kidney stones are common. About one in 10 people has one at some point, and they affect both men and women.
Why see Dr. Ferlic for kidney stones
Kidney stone care is often rushed: a scan in the emergency room, a prescription, and instructions to follow up with someone. Dr. Ferlic opened her own practice so that a visit lasts as long as the problem requires. You leave knowing the size and location of your stone, what each option involves, and which one she recommends.
She is a board-certified urologist who treats kidney stones in women and men. She considers conservative treatment before any procedure, and prevention is part of the discussion as well as the immediate stone problem. Read more about Dr. Ferlic, or see the full scope of the practice on the general urology page.
What are my options?
A starting point for the conversation, not a prescription. Your evaluation decides what fits.
A small stone and manageable pain
You can keep fluids down, with no sign of infection
Watching and waiting
Fluids, pain relief as directed, and straining urine to catch the stone
A stone that needs help to pass
For some stones, help to pass faster and with less pain
Medication to help a stone pass
An alpha blocker relaxes the ureter for some stones
A stone stuck in the ureter
Or a stone too hard for shock waves
Ureteroscopy with laser
A thin scope reaches the stone with no incision
A large stone, or many in one kidney
Too big to pass or to break from outside the body
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Removal through a small incision in the back
Kidney stone treatment options
Kidney stone treatment depends on the size and location of the stone, your symptoms, and your overall health. The least invasive option that fits comes first.
| Shock wave lithotripsy | Ureteroscopy with laser | Percutaneous nephrolithotomy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Focused sound waves from outside the body break the stone into pieces small enough to pass | A thin scope passes through the urethra and bladder, and a laser breaks the stone apart | The surgeon reaches the kidney through a small incision in the back |
| Incision | None | None | A small incision in the back |
| Often used for | Small to medium stones in the kidney or upper ureter | Stones stuck in the ureter and stones too hard for shock waves | Large stones, or many stones in one kidney |
| What to expect | Outpatient; about 45 to 60 minutes | A temporary stent often stays in the ureter for a few days | General anesthesia, usually with one to two nights in the hospital |
Shock wave lithotripsy
- How it works
- Focused sound waves from outside the body break the stone into pieces small enough to pass
- Incision
- None
- Often used for
- Small to medium stones in the kidney or upper ureter
- What to expect
- Outpatient; about 45 to 60 minutes
Ureteroscopy with laser
- How it works
- A thin scope passes through the urethra and bladder, and a laser breaks the stone apart
- Incision
- None
- Often used for
- Stones stuck in the ureter and stones too hard for shock waves
- What to expect
- A temporary stent often stays in the ureter for a few days
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
- How it works
- The surgeon reaches the kidney through a small incision in the back
- Incision
- A small incision in the back
- Often used for
- Large stones, or many stones in one kidney
- What to expect
- General anesthesia, usually with one to two nights in the hospital
Watching and waiting for the stone to pass
Small stones are more likely to pass without a procedure, but size alone does not establish that waiting is safe. Waiting is a reasonable plan if your pain is manageable, you can keep fluids down, there's no sign of infection, and your kidneys are working normally. Drink plenty of water, use pain relievers as your doctor directs, and strain your urine so the stone can be caught and tested. Your clinician sets the follow-up plan and tells you when waiting is no longer safe. Don't wait through fever, uncontrolled pain, vomiting, or trouble urinating.
Medication to help a stone pass
A prescription medication that relaxes the muscle of the ureter (an alpha blocker) can help some stones pass faster and with less pain. It's one option among several, and it isn't right for everyone.
Shock wave lithotripsy
Shock wave lithotripsy uses focused sound waves from outside the body to break a stone into pieces small enough to pass in your urine. This outpatient procedure involves no incision and takes about 45 to 60 minutes. It works best for small to medium stones in the kidney or upper ureter.
Ureteroscopy with laser
During ureteroscopy, a thin scope is passed through the urethra and bladder and up to the stone. No incision is needed. A laser breaks the stone apart, and the pieces are removed. It's a common choice for stones stuck in the ureter and for stones too hard for shock waves. A temporary tube called a stent often stays in the ureter for a few days to keep urine draining.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is for large stones, or for many stones in one kidney. The surgeon reaches the kidney through a small incision in the back, breaks up the stone, and removes it. It's done under general anesthesia and usually means one to two nights in the hospital.
These are general treatment options. Dr. Ferlic evaluates kidney stones and explains which approach fits the findings; the surgeon and facility depend on the treatment needed. If another surgeon is the better fit for your stone, she tells you so and refers you.
Ask about an appointment or call 435-344-4760.
What causes kidney stones
Not drinking enough fluid is the most common cause, because concentrated urine gives minerals more chance to crystallize. Utah's dry air and hot summers make it easy to fall behind on fluids.
Stones are named for what they're made of, and the type points to the cause:
- Calcium stones account for about 80 percent of kidney stones. Most are calcium oxalate. Diet, chronic diarrhea, and intestinal surgery raise the risk.
- Uric acid stones form when urine is too acidic. They are linked to gout, type 2 diabetes, excess weight, and a diet high in animal protein.
- Struvite stones form during urinary tract infections and can grow fast. They are more common in women and in anyone with recurrent UTIs.
- Cystine stones are rare and come from an inherited condition called cystinuria.
Other risk factors include a personal or family history of stones, a diet high in salt or sugar, some medications and supplements, and conditions such as high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, and parathyroid disease.
How kidney stones are diagnosed
Before recommending a kidney stone treatment, Dr. Ferlic needs to know three things: how big the stone is, where it sits, and whether it's blocking the kidney. The workup usually includes:
- Imaging. A CT scan of the abdomen is generally the most reliable test. Ultrasound and X-ray also have a role.
- Urine tests. These check for blood, infection, and crystals.
- Blood tests. Bloodwork shows how well your kidneys are working, and it can reveal high calcium or uric acid levels.
- Stone analysis. If you pass a stone, save it. A lab can identify the type, and the type guides prevention.
If you've already had a scan at an emergency room or urgent care, bring the report and images.
What to expect
Passing a stone happens in stages. The worst pain comes as the stone leaves the kidney and travels down the ureter, and it can come and go for days. When the stone drops into the bladder, the pain often eases and gives way to pressure and a frequent urge to urinate. Symptoms and timing vary. Less pain does not prove that the stone has passed or that a blockage has cleared.
After shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy, most people return to normal activities within a few days. Some blood in the urine is common after any stone procedure. A stent can cause bladder discomfort until it comes out, often in a short office visit. The timing of follow-up imaging depends on your stone and treatment. Some stones take more than one procedure to clear.
How to prevent kidney stones
Up to half of people who form a kidney stone form another within five years, so prevention is part of kidney stone treatment. These steps help most people:
- Discuss a fluid goal. Drinking enough fluid helps prevent many stones. Your clinician can set an amount that fits your stone history and any heart or kidney condition that limits fluids.
- Cut back on salt. Extra sodium pushes more calcium into your urine.
- Eat less animal protein. Smaller portions lower the acid in your urine.
- Keep calcium in your diet. Calcium from food, eaten with meals, helps prevent stones. Supplements are different, so ask before taking them.
- Add citrus. The citrate in lemons and limes helps keep crystals from forming.
- Limit high-oxalate foods such as spinach, rhubarb, and nuts if you form calcium oxalate stones.
If you have had more than one stone, a 24-hour urine collection shows what is out of balance. No single kidney stone diet fits everyone, and the results let Dr. Ferlic fit the plan to you, including preventive medication when diet isn't enough.
Benefits and risks, side by side
Every treatment has trade-offs. Your history and your goals decide which ones matter most.
What treatment can address
- A stone that blocks the kidney or hasn't moved after several weeks
- Pain from a stone that you can't control
- Finding out why stones form, to lower the chance of another
What to weigh first
- The size and location of the stone
- Your symptoms and your overall health
- Any heart or kidney condition that limits how much fluid you can drink
- Some stones take more than one procedure to clear
What happens at the first visit?
The visit starts with what has changed and what you want help with. Any treatment and follow-up plan is specific to you.
Talk through your symptoms
Bring your concerns, medication list, and relevant medical history.
Decide what needs checking
Testing depends on your symptoms and history, and some concerns need a separate workup.
Discuss a plan and follow-up
Review benefits, risks, alternatives, and what to watch for.
Before you schedule
Ask which appointments are available and whether your concern suits a video visit or needs an in-person evaluation.
Here’s what our great patients say
How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
Most small stones pass within a few days to a few weeks. A stone smaller than four millimeters often passes within one to two weeks, and a larger one can take longer. If a stone hasn't passed after four to six weeks, follow up with a urologist.
What size kidney stone needs a procedure?
Size is only part of the decision. Stones smaller than about five millimeters most often pass without help, and larger stones are less likely to. A stone of any size needs treatment if it causes uncontrolled pain, blocks the kidney, comes with an infection, or hasn't moved after several weeks.
When do I need to go to the emergency room for a kidney stone?
Go to the emergency room if you have fever or chills, pain you can't control, vomiting that keeps you from holding down fluids, or trouble urinating. Fever can mean an infection, and that needs same-day treatment. For milder symptoms, an office evaluation is the right first step.
Do I need a urologist, or can my primary care doctor treat a kidney stone?
A primary care clinician can assess some small stones and arrange testing or referral. See a urologist if the stone is large, your pain is severe, the stone isn't passing, or you have had more than one. You can contact the practice to ask about care without a referral.
Will I get another kidney stone?
A previous stone raises the chance of another. Up to half of people who have one stone form another within five years. Drinking more fluid, adjusting your diet, and, for repeat stones, testing to find the specific cause all lower the odds.
Can I see Dr. Ferlic for a kidney stone?
Contact the practice to ask which visit types are available and when in-person appointments and procedures can be scheduled.
Talk with a urologist about your kidney stone
If you have a stone that isn't passing or stones that keep returning, ask about the next step. Call 435-344-4760 or request an appointment. If you already have test results, ask whether a second opinion or records review fits your situation.
Seek emergency care for fever with stone symptoms, uncontrolled pain, vomiting that prevents drinking, or an inability to urinate. Don't wait for a routine appointment.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice.