Kidney Stones
How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
What is the short answer?
Small stones often pass in days to a few weeks.
Bigger stones take longer, and some won't pass at all.
What else should I know?
Pain can come and go during that time.
A follow-up scan can show whether the stone has moved.
If it's been about four weeks, or the pain is getting worse, it's time for a plan.
Ready to come in?
Many Walton County families visit our Snellville Clinic & Surgery Center (1557 Janmar Rd, Snellville, GA 30078), and Social Circle neighbors are also welcome at our Conyers Clinic (1366 Wellbrook Circle Suite B, Conyers, GA 30012).
How do our urologists approach this?
While you wait for a stone to pass, our urologists keep an eye on your pain, your kidney and signs of infection. If the stone isn’t moving after about four weeks, or the pain is getting worse, we explain the procedures that can remove it, such as ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy. Afterward, we look into what caused it so you’re less likely to form another.
What happens at a visit?
Bring your scan report and any stone you catch. We’ll check your urine, ask about your pain and nausea, and decide whether a follow-up scan is needed to see if the stone has moved.
How should I prepare?
If you’ve been seen at an ER or urgent care, bring the discharge papers and scan report. Keep straining your urine with a strainer or a coffee filter, and bring any stone you catch in a clean container. Note how long the pain has lasted.
When should I call?
Call us if pain medicine stops working or you’re vomiting. With fever, go to the ER first.
What do patients often ask?
These are the questions we hear most, each with a short answer.
Do bigger stones pass?
Small stones often pass in days to a few weeks. Bigger stones take longer, and some won’t pass at all.
Should I strain my urine?
Yes, if you can. A stone we can analyze helps us plan prevention.
Is there a video on this?
Dr. Casey McCullough explains three ways stones can be removed in this Advanced Urology video.
- Watch: Kidney Stones? 3 Ways to Remove Them What the video covers: Dr. Casey McCullough explains three ways to treat a kidney stone that won’t pass, including shock wave lithotripsy, and how stone size, location and hardness guide the choice.
Where can I learn more?
Background reading; decisions belong in a visit. All Walton articles