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A lithotripter is a medical device used to break certain stones inside the body into smaller pieces. It is most often linked with kidney stones or ureter stones. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy uses shock waves from outside the body to target the stone. Smaller fragments can then pass through the urinary tract more easily.
read more about lithotripter ...A lithotripter focuses shock waves on a stone using imaging guidance such as X-ray or ultrasound. The shock waves travel through body tissue and strike the stone repeatedly. Over time, the stone can crack into smaller pieces. The patient's position, stone location, stone size, and stone hardness affect how well treatment works.
A lithotripter can be used for selected kidney or ureter stones that are hard to pass naturally. It is not the best choice for every stone because size, location, density, anatomy, and infection risk matter. Some stones need ureteroscopy, laser treatment, stent placement, or surgery instead. A urologist reviews imaging and symptoms before recommending lithotripsy.
During shock wave lithotripsy, the patient lies on a treatment table while the machine targets the stone. Pain control, sedation, or anesthesia can be used depending on the facility and treatment plan. The procedure can cause tapping sensations, discomfort, or soreness afterward. Patients may pass stone fragments in urine after treatment.
Possible risks include pain, bruising, blood in the urine, infection, blocked urine flow, or incomplete stone breakup. Some patients need follow-up imaging to check whether fragments remain. Drinking fluids may help pass fragments if the care team says it is safe. Seek care for fever, severe pain, vomiting, trouble urinating, or heavy bleeding.
It is most often used for kidney and ureter stones, but lithotripsy techniques can also be used for selected stones in other areas. The equipment and approach depend on stone location.
Discomfort can happen during or after treatment. Pain control, sedation, or anesthesia may be used based on the treatment plan and patient needs.
No. Shock wave treatment breaks the stone into smaller pieces, but the fragments still need to pass through urine. Follow-up care can show whether more treatment is needed.
No. Stone size, location, hardness, anatomy, infection, pregnancy, bleeding risk, and other health factors can make another treatment safer or more useful.
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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/extracorporeal-shock-wave-lithotripsy-eswl. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.
Lithotripsy. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/lithotripsy. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.
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