Kidney Stone Treatment: Experienced Kidney Stone Specialists in NYC
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist. He treats men and women with kidney and ureteral stones.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4421.
We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners. Information for out-of-state and international patients. Find out our office hours or directions to our office.
We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance. Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.
Dr. Shteynshlyuger MD is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating kidney stones and urinary problems in men and women. Dr. Shteynshlyuger has performed hundreds of ureteroscopy and lithotripsy procedures for large kidney stones, in addition to ESWL procedures. He is among a select number of urologists in the United States who perform PCNL for large kidney stones.
When Should Kidney Stones Be Treated?
All patients with kidney stones and signs of infection (fever, chills, malaise, weakness) need emergency treatment for kidney stones. All patients with infection and kidney or ureteral stones need to be treated by a urologist as it can be a dangerous combination.
Patients with abnormal kidney function, those predisposed to infection (immunocompromised patients, transplant patients, HIV/AIDS patients, diabetic patients) may require prompt treatment.
At New York Urology Specialists, kidney stone treatment encompasses prevention through behavioral and dietary modifications, pharmacological treatment for kidney stones, and surgical treatment and lithotripsy.
All ureteral stones, regardless of size, need to be treated as they can block the kidneys (even in the absence of pain or other symptoms) and damage the kidney. Treatment may involve an attempt to pass the stone or a surgical procedure such as lithotripsy, stent insertion, or ureteroscopy.
Small kidney stones may cause no symptoms and may be monitored. Many small kidney stones that are less than 3-5 mm are passed by patients, often without the patient being aware of it or only with mild transient discomfort. Many people just ignore mild back or abdominal discomfort and never attribute the symptoms to kidney stones.
Passing Kidney Stones
When ureteral stones are relatively small and have managed to pass into the distal ureter close to the bladder, many patients may be able to pass the stones spontaneously. Patients who do not have too much pain or if pain can be controlled with pain medications and who do not have signs of UTI (urinary tract infection), such as fever, chills, or malaise (weakness), are often good candidates for passing stones on their own.
Approximately 90% of stones <5 mm and >80% of stones between 5 and 8 mm pass spontaneously within 4 weeks of dietary modification and medications such as alpha-blockers that help kidney stone passage, while most stones larger than 8-10 mm require urological intervention. Not all patients may be able to tolerate pain or other symptoms for a sufficient duration of time to allow kidney stones to pass and may require surgical intervention.
The lower the stone is in the ureter, the higher the chances that one may be able to pass it. As the stone size increases, the chances of spontaneous passage decrease.
If stones are not passed after a month, surgical treatment is necessary as prolonged obstruction can cause damage to the kidneys. It is important to repeat the kidney ultrasound after 4-6 weeks to make sure that the kidney is not blocked, even if there is no pain
Patients with kidney stones that are larger than 5 mm or with other risk factors without symptoms are usually advised treatment, since if left untreated, over 70% of stones are likely to increase in size, dislodge, or cause symptoms during the passage. Stones smaller than 3-5 mm can often be observed, and many may pass spontaneously without significant symptoms. In general, all stones that cause symptoms need treatment or management by a urologist.
Larger stones usually >5 mm often cause pain when they pass. When stones block urine flow, they cause symptoms and may require removal with procedures such as lithotripsy or ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy. Many patients may be able to pass stones smaller than 7-8 mm spontaneously, but others may require a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Big Stones: Bust them up!
In general, for most patients, it is advisable to break larger stones (>5-7 mm) and remove them from the body even if they do not cause symptoms because if left untreated, they can affect the functioning of the kidneys (lead to renal insufficiency), cause frequent urinary tract infections, and lead to obstruction.
When stones increase in size, the chances of breaking them with one procedure decrease, and the likelihood of needing multiple procedures to break them increases. As a result, it is often advantageous to break stones when they are relatively small in size.
For some patients, close monitoring with renal ultrasound and observation may be a reasonable option for non-obstructive kidney stones, especially in patients who are not optimal candidates for anesthesia or surgery.
Most Frequently Performed Procedures For Kidney Stones:
PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy)
PCNL is a minimally invasive procedure in which an instrument called the nephroscope is passed into the kidney through a tiny incision to retrieve kidney stones. PCN is a very effective procedure for multiple large stones in the kidney, including staghorn calculi.
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and usually requires a 1-3 day hospital stay. PCNL may not be an option for some people, for example, patients who have a bleeding disorder or who cannot come off their blood-thinning medication may be better candidates for ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy.
ESWL (extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy)
Lithotripsy is a noninvasive procedure in which high-frequency sound waves are used to break up a stone into smaller pieces so that they can pass out of the body with the urine. The procedure is performed either under general anesthesia or with deep sedation. It is the first-line treatment for kidney stones less than 1 cm in size located in the kidney. The procedure typically takes about an hour to perform. The patient is able to go home the same day. Patients may return to normal activities the next day.
Ureteroscopy with Holmium laser lithotripsy
Ureteroscopy is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure in which an instrument called a ureteroscope is passed up through the urethra (peeing hole) and up to the ureter and into the kidney to retrieve a stone that is stuck in the ureter or the kidney. There are no cuts on the body for this procedure. Holmium Laser may be used to break up the stone into smaller pieces, which can drain into the bladder. A stone sample is often obtained with a special ‘stone basket’ for biochemical analysis to determine stone composition. Ureteroscopy is done under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. The procedure can take anywhere from half an hour to three hours for large stones.
Choice of Procedure for Removal of Kidney and Ureteral Stones
The choice of procedure to remove kidney and ureteral stones depends on stone size, stone location, and patient preferences. In general, the least invasive procedures are less effective than more invasive procedures, but for small stones, even the least invasive procedures have excellent efficacy.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4421.
We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners. Information for out-of-state and international patients. Find out our office hours or directions to our office.
We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance. Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.
Did you know? Dr. Shteynshlyuger has performed over 1,000 kidney and bladder surgeries, including ureteroscopy, cystoscopy, ESWL lithotripsy, and PCNL. He performs 150-200 surgeries a year.
Where to Get Treatment for Kidney Stones in NYC?
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer same-day treatment of kidney stones for men and women. Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.
Call/text today: 1-646-663-4421 or make an appointment online.
We perform kidney stone lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser, PCNL, ureteral stent insertion, and stent removal. We offer treatment for kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urinary retention, frequent urination, painful urination, frequent UTIs, and pelvic pain. We offer confidential appointments.
Our appointment costs are affordable with or without insurance. We offer free insurance verification.
We perform cystoscopy and a kidney ultrasound in our office. We offer ureteral stent removal in our office. We treat urinary problems. We offer confidential appointments.
Read Real Stories of Men and Women who Underwent Treatment for Kidney Stones at New York Urology Specialists.
Read RealStories: Kidney stones in a 33-year-old woman.
Read RealStories: Left staghorn stone with hydronephrosis in a 62-year-old man.
Read RealStories: Right ureteral stone with severe pain in a 32-year-old woman.
Read RealStories: Bilateral kidney stones in a 53-year-old man.
Cost of Kidney Stone Removal without Insurance
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer affordable treatment. Our prices are low for patients without insurance and for those who have high insurance copays, high deductibles, or insurance plans that do not cover treatment costs.
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer flat-fee, ‘all-costs-included’ procedures such as cystoscopy, ureteral stent insertion and removal, ureteroscopy, laser lithotripsy, shockwave therapy (lithotripsy), bladder biopsy, urodynamic studies, kidney ultrasound, PCNL, and many more. The procedures are performed in our office under local anesthesia or at an affiliated surgical center. Men and women from other states can save thousands of dollars over local hospital fees by coming to New York Urology Specialists for treatment. Please contact us for current prices and discounts for patients without insurance or with high insurance deductibles.
Cost of Stone Treatment and Insurance
At New York Urology Specialists, we offer affordable treatment for men and women. Our prices are low for patients without insurance and for those who have high insurance copays, high deductibles, or insurance plans that do not cover treatment costs.
We accept many health insurance plans. We would be happy to verify your eligibility and benefits and provide you with detailed information on your health plan’s coverage. Financing options and credit options are available to help you pay for medical care.
Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Treatment of Kidney Stones?
- All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in treating men and women with pain caused by kidney stones and ureteral stones.
- We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for the treatment of kidney stones, ureteral stones, and bladder stones.
- We offer treatment options for kidney stone removal in a surgical center. We remove ureteral stents in our office. Office procedures avoid the risks, costs, and recovery from general anesthesia.
- We offer diagnostic testing in our office, which avoids hospital costs.
- Extensive experience: Thousands of men and women have been treated successfully for ureteral stones and kidney stones, UVJ and UPJ stones, including large staghorn calculi.
- Confidential and Understanding Care. We understand that most of our patients desire privacy. We see patients with a variety of urological problems. Your reason for visiting us is entirely confidential.
- We are conveniently located within a 30-60 minute commute to men and women who are seeking treatment for kidney stones, bladder stones, bladder control problems, and enlarged prostate treatment in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, Bronx, and New Jersey.
What do Kidney Stones Look Like?
You can find pictures of kidney stones as well as before and after treatment images in our image gallery.
Scheduling Appointments for Kidney Stone Treatment at New York Urology Specialists
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4421.
We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners. Information for out-of-state and international patients. Find out our office hours or directions to our office.
We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance. Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.
Dr. Shteynshlyuger MD is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating kidney stones and urinary problems in men and women. He has performed hundreds of urethral, bladder, and kidney surgeries, including cystoscopy, kidney stone removal with lithotripsy and laser, PCNL, and many other procedures.
Kidney Stone Treatment for Men and Women With Fast Recovery at New York Urology Specialists
At New York Urology Specialists, our urologists are specially trained in evaluating and treating kidney pain caused by kidney stones and stones in the ureter. We understand the challenges that urinary and sexual problems create for our patients, their relationships, and their self-esteem. We help you find a treatment for kidney stones that fits your needs, lifestyle, and preferences.
Urologists are doctors specializing in the treatment of men and women with kidney stones. By virtue of our experience and skill, we can offer an effective treatment option for nearly every man and woman who desires an effective treatment for any problem that affects the urinary tract. We offer medical and surgical treatment for kidney stones and urinary problems.
We Treat Some of the Most Complex Urinary and Kidney Problems, Including:
- UVJ stones
- UPJ stones
- Kidney and Ureteral stones
- Frequent urination
- Urinary retention
- Chronic Prostatitis
- Pelvic Pain
- Bladder Pain
- Frequent Urination
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Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Shteynshlyuger:If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4421.
We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners. Information for out-of-state and international patients. Find out our office hours or directions to our office.
We offer affordable appointment prices with or without insurance. Same-day virtual video appointments and in-person appointments are available.