What is lithotripsy?

Lithotripsy is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to treat kidney stones that are too large to pass through the urinary tract. Lithotripsy treats kidney stones by sending focused ultrasonic energy or shock waves directly to the stone first located with fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray “movie”) or ultrasound (high frequency sound waves). The shock waves break a large stone into smaller stones that will pass through the urinary system. Lithotripsy allows persons with certain types of stones in the urinary system to avoid an invasive surgical procedure for stone removal. In order to aim the waves, your doctor must be able to see the stones under X-ray or ultrasound.

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How does lithotripsy work?

Lithotripsy uses sound waves to break up large kidney stones into smaller pieces. These sound waves are also called high-energy shock waves. The most common form of lithotripsy is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Extracorporeal means “outside the body.” In this case, it refers to the source of the shock waves. During ESWL, a special machine called a lithotripter generates the shock waves. The waves travel into your body and break apart the stones.

ESWL has been around since the early 1980s. It quickly replaced surgery as the treatment of choice for larger kidney stones. ESWL is a noninvasive procedure, which means it doesn’t require surgery. Noninvasive procedures are generally safer and easier to recover from than invasive procedures.

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How long does the treatment take?

The actual treatment takes around 45 to 60 minutes.

How much time do I have to stay at the Hospital and when can I go back to work?

Most patients are discharged after 2 hours and can return to work after that. It is an outdoor procedure and No admission is required. No prolonged rest is required. Rather we encourage plenty of oral liquids to speed up the passage of crushed stones.

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Is there any pain during the treatment?

Some sensitive patients have to be administered Analgesic Injections prior to treatment, but most patients do not require any analgesia or sedation. The treatment itself causes very little pain. No anesthesia is generally required during Lithotripsy with most modern Machines. Some older Lithotripters do cause pain and patients have to be anaesthetized prior to treatment. Minimal movement on the patient’s part is important as this makes the treatment much more effective by keeping the stone always in focus.

Does the patient remember anything about the procedure or know what is going on during the treatment?

The patient is fully conscious and is able to see and hear everything during the treatment.

What is the purpose of ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy), and is it safe?

The purpose is to safely fragment kidney stones so the stone fragments can be passed naturally in the urine. The treatment is safe and complications of treatment are rare.

What happens after the treatment?

The patient is discharged and allowed to resume his normal activities within 2 hours.

Can Large and Staghorn Stones be treated this way?

Lithotripsy is the ideal treatment for stones up to 2 Cms diameter but larger stones can also be treated, specially in Patients unfit for Surgery or Anesthesia, Patient having Cardiac problems or Diabetic Patients. In Larger stones, a ‘Pigtail’ Stent or a ‘Double J’ Stent has to be passed through the Urethra to the Kidney to facilitate the passage of stone fragments. After the stone is passed out, the stent is removed.

Why Choose Apollo Healthcare?

Established by Dr Prathap C Reddy in 1983, Apollo Healthcare has a robust presence across the healthcare ecosystem. From routine wellness & preventive health care to innovative life-saving treatments and diagnostic services, Apollo Hospitals has touched more than 120 million lives from over 120 countries, offering the best clinical outcomes.

• 7,000+ Healing HandsLargest network of the world’s finest and brightest medical experts who provide compassionate care using outstanding expertise and advanced technology.

• 4,000+ PharmaciesApollo Pharmacy is India’s first, largest and most trusted branded pharmacy network, with over 4000 plus outlets covering the entire nation

• Most Advanced Healthcare TechnologyApollo Hospitals has been the pioneer in bringing ground-breaking healthcare technologies to India.

• Best Clinical OutcomesLeveraging its vast medical expertise & technological advantage, Apollo Hospitals has consistently delivered best in class clinical outcomes.

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Apollo 24|7 is the largest multi-channel digital healthcare platform in India, created with a vision of eliminating flexibility blockages from the healthcare industry. We believe in making healthcare affordable to everyone by combining analytic excellence, affordable cost, and extensive research with advanced technology. Apollo 24|7 is a single online platform where you have access to a wide range of services such as online pharmacy, online doctor consultations, and diagnostic lab tests at home. We also provide expert solutions for chronic conditions and COVID-care with a secured digital vault, where you can safely upload all your medical reports. 

The Smart Choice for Your Health is Here

Make the best decision for your health by choosing Apollo 24|7. Here’s why you can count on us:

• 36 years of legacy in the healthcare industry

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Ask a Doctor Online 24/7

Online doctor consultations take place through online doctor chat, call, or video call. This helps you to talk to doctors online from the comfort of your home by simply choosing a doctor from different specialties. Avail personalised solutions for any health problem with prompt online doctor consultation with Apollo 24|7.

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Online Doctor Consultation - Now at Your FingertipsThe demand for doctors is expected to increase as new medicines allow people to live longer. However, there are several ways to reach out to a doctor without the need to visit a hospital or clinic, all thanks to technology. With the online facility available, doctor consultations have become easier, and you can get the right health care. Online doctor consultations with 4000+ top medical doctors are available at Apollo 24|7. Video call or chat with expert doctors from 100+ medical specialties, including | Dermatology | Gynaecology | Paediatrics | Psychiatry | General Physicians | Gastroenterology | Dietetics | Ent Specialists | and more, in just 15 minutes.

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• Save time, money, and effort.

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• Most convenient option to choose from, and helps in early diagnosis.

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Apollo 24|7 is a part of Apollo Hospitals. Apollo Hospitals was established in 1983 by Dr. Prathap C Reddy. It incorporates over 10,000 beds across 70 hospitals, over 4000 pharmacies, 172 primary care and diagnostic clinics, and 148 telemedicine facilities spread across 13 countries. Apollo Hospitals has touched billions of lives by offering exceptional clinical outcomes.

Milestones of Apollo Hospitals:

• 36 Years of legacy and credibility in the healthcare industry. 

• NABL certified multi-channel digital healthcare platform.

• World’s best medical specialists.

• Largest & trusted branded healthcare network.

• Advanced healthcare technology.

Pharmacy Simplified with Apollo 24|7

Apollo pharmacy is the most credible and established online pharmacy in India. It delivers 100% original medicines and products. Apollo pharmacy is believed to offer super-fast home delivery for all the healthcare essentials. Explore our broad range of medicines or over-the-counter medicines and products such as baby care, personal care, wellness, lifestyle, health, and nutrition categories online with ease. 

Rapid deliveries of medicines are available online at Apollo Pharmacy. In some cities, deliveries are done in less than 24 hours.

• Get health credits on purchasing medicines and products.

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Convenient Diagnostic Lab Tests at Home

Regular health check-ups are vital for a healthy life because it helps in detecting diseases at the earliest, following a timely treatment. Apollo 24|7 provides blood sample testing at your doorstep conveniently. You can book lab tests at home and utilise the home-collection facility. We offer a broad range of diagnostic lab tests such as | RT-PCR Test | Renal Profile Test (KFT, RFT) | Hemogram Test | Lipid Profile Test | Thyroid Profile Test (T3 T4 TSH) | D-Dimer Test | Urine Culture Test | Complete Blood Count Test (CBC Test) | Widal Test | Liver Function Test (LFT) | and more.

Top-notch quality diagnostics are critical for the best treatment and personalised patient care.

Here are some simple steps to book a lab test:

• Book online - Select the package or test you want to book.

• Choose home-sample collection option - A qualified phlebotomist visits your home for sample collection at the selected slot time.

• Get fast and accurate blood test reports - download them from the app or website anytime, anywhere!

Find Pathology Labs with Ease at Apollo 24|7Manage your health with prompt health check-ups from Apollo 24|7. We offer an extensive range of laboratory services that deliver factual diagnostic lab test results. You will find the most trusted pathology labs here at Apollo 24|7. 

Other Services Offered by Apollo 24|7

Apollo Circle Membership: Premium Healthcare Program

Apollo 24/7 Circle is an elite membership plan for those who put their overall health and well-being on priority. This membership plan guarantees priority access to Apollo’s best doctors, personalised care, unique deals, and comprehensive wellness programs especially curated by professionals. 

Apollo Prohealth Program Apollo Pro Health Program is an exclusive end-to-end personalised proactive healthcare management program that combines predictive risk assessments and top-notch quality diagnostics with accurate physician checks. Approximately 22 million health checks have been done based on this program. You can count on us for:

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