Kidney stones are among the most painful disorders to afflict humans.
Fortunately, modern techniques for pain management and stone treatment and prevention are very effective. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without any intervention by a physician. Cases that cause lasting symptoms or other complications may be treated by various techniques, including extra-corporeal shock wve lithotripsy, laser destruction of the stone with ureteroscopy and percutaneous destruction of large kidney stones. Research advances also have led to a better understanding of the many factors that promote stone formation. In many cases changes in the diet can decisively prevent recurrences.