Kidney Stones In Aurora, CO
Same-Day Kidney Stone Care at Modern Urology
Modern Urology offers a dedicated kidney stone hotline so patients experiencing acute stone pain can be seen the same day or the next business day. This level of urgent access is rare among urology practices, and it means you do not have to wait days or weeks in pain before getting expert evaluation and treatment.
If you have or suspect a painful kidney stone but do not have fevers, chills, nausea, or vomiting, call the kidney stone hotline to schedule an immediate appointment with Dr. Fronczak.
If you are experiencing fevers, chills, nausea, or vomiting along with kidney stone symptoms, these signs may indicate a serious infection. A kidney stone combined with infection is a medical emergency. Go to the nearest emergency room immediately for evaluation.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They develop when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. Stones range in size from a tiny grain of sand to larger than a golf ball. Modern Urology evaluates and treats kidney stones of all sizes, from small stones that may pass on their own to large or complex stones that require surgical removal.
Kidney stones can be extremely painful. The pain occurs when a stone moves from the kidney into the ureter, the narrow tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. When the stone blocks the flow of urine, the kidney swells with trapped urine, and this swelling produces the intense, wave-like pain that kidney stone patients describe. As the stone shifts position in the ureter, the blockage comes and goes, and so does the pain.
Types of Kidney Stones
Not all kidney stones are the same, and the type of stone you form determines your prevention strategy. The main types include:
- Calcium oxalate stones are the most common, accounting for roughly 70-80% of all kidney stones. They form when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine.
- Calcium phosphate stones form in more alkaline urine and are sometimes associated with certain metabolic conditions.
- Uric acid stones develop when urine is consistently acidic. They are more common in patients with gout, diabetes, or diets very high in animal protein.
- Struvite stones are caused by urinary tract infections and can grow rapidly into large, branching stones that fill the kidney.
- Cystine stones are rare, caused by a hereditary condition that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of a specific amino acid.
Kidney Stone Symptoms and Warning Signs
Kidney stone symptoms can appear suddenly and range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Recognizing the signs early and seeking prompt evaluation at Modern Urology can prevent complications and get you relief faster.
Common kidney stone symptoms include severe pain in the back or side that may radiate to the lower abdomen or groin, pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity, blood in the urine (hematuria), painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, frequent urge to urinate, nausea, and vomiting.
Some patients describe kidney stone pain as the worst pain they have ever experienced. The pain typically worsens when the stone is actively moving through the ureter and eases when the stone shifts to a less obstructive position.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
A kidney stone combined with infection is a medical emergency. If you have stone symptoms along with fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Infection behind a blocked kidney (called an obstructed infected kidney) can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that requires urgent treatment. Do not delay evaluation if you have these warning signs.
When a kidney stone is too large to pass on its own, is causing persistent pain, or is blocking urine flow, surgical treatment is needed. Modern Urology offers all three major surgical approaches for kidney stones, and Dr. Fronczak selects the best option based on the stone’s size, location, and composition.
Laser Lithotripsy (Ureteroscopy)
Laser lithotripsy is the most commonly performed kidney stone surgery. Dr. Fronczak passes a thin, flexible scope through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to reach the stone. A laser fiber is then used to break the stone into tiny fragments that are either removed with a small basket or left to pass naturally. The procedure requires no incisions. Most patients go home the same day. A temporary ureteral stent is typically placed during the procedure and removed within a week.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL)
Shock wave lithotripsy uses focused sound waves delivered from outside the body to break a kidney stone into smaller pieces. The fragments then pass through the urinary tract on their own over the following days to weeks. SWL works best for smaller stones (typically under 1cm) located in the kidney. The procedure is performed under sedation, requires no incisions, and most patients resume normal activity within one to two days.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
PCNL is used for large or complex kidney stones that cannot be effectively treated with laser or shock wave lithotripsy. Dr. Fronczak makes a small incision in the back and creates a direct channel into the kidney. Specialized instruments are passed through this channel to break apart and remove the stone. PCNL is the most effective option for stones larger than 2cm, staghorn calculi, and stones in hard-to-reach locations. The procedure typically requires a short hospital stay, and most patients return to normal activity within one to two weeks.
Dr. Fronczak discusses all surgical options in detail with each patient, explains what to expect during and after the procedure, and helps you make an informed decision about how to manage your stone.
A ureteral stent is a soft, thin plastic tube placed inside the ureter to keep it open and allow urine to drain freely from the kidney to the bladder. Modern Urology uses advanced stent technology designed for improved patient comfort.
Stents are typically 22 to 30 centimeters long, narrow in diameter, and hollow. Each end has a small pigtail curl that holds the stent in place: one curl anchors in the kidney and the other in the bladder. Dr. Fronczak uses newer stents that soften after placement in the body, making them significantly more comfortable than traditional rigid plastic stents.
Ureteral stents are placed during laser lithotripsy, some shock wave lithotripsy procedures, and diagnostic ureteroscopy. They are also used when urine is not draining properly from a kidney due to a ureteral stricture or other structural concern. For stone procedures, stents are typically removed in less than one week. For longer-term management of ureteral strictures, newer stent technology allows some stents to remain in place for up to 12 months without needing exchange.
Kidney Stone Prevention and Metabolic Evaluation
Preventing future kidney stones is just as important as treating the current one. Modern Urology provides personalized prevention plans based on stone type, metabolic testing results, and individual risk factors. Dr. Fronczak’s approach focuses on finding the root cause of stone formation and addressing it directly.
The following recommendations can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent stones. Some patients should discuss these changes with their primary care doctor or cardiologist before making adjustments.
Drink 2 to 3 liters (roughly half a gallon) of water every day. The easiest way to stay on track is to use a 24 to 32 ounce water bottle and refill it throughout the day. In Colorado’s dry, high-altitude climate, staying well-hydrated requires deliberate effort.
Add citrus to your diet. Squeezing a quarter of a lemon into your water or adding orange juice to your daily routine increases urinary citrate, which inhibits stone formation. Monitor sugar intake if using juice.
Maintain a low-sodium diet, aiming for less than 2,300 milligrams per day. High sodium intake increases calcium excretion in the urine, which promotes stone formation.
Monitor oxalate intake. Oxalate-rich foods like nuts, spinach, and chocolate may need to be reduced if urinary oxalate levels are high.
Eat a normal-calcium diet. Do not restrict calcium, even if you form calcium stones. A normal calcium intake of 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day through food or supplements actually helps prevent stones by binding oxalate in the gut. If taking a calcium supplement such as Citracal or Caltrate, take it with food to optimize absorption and allow the calcium to bind excess oxalate.
For patients who have formed more than one kidney stone, Dr. Fronczak may recommend a metabolic evaluation to identify the specific chemical imbalances driving stone formation. This evaluation includes a 24-hour urine collection that measures levels of calcium, oxalate, citrate, uric acid, sodium, and other stone-forming substances.
The results reveal exactly why stones are forming in your body and allow Dr. Fronczak to create a targeted prevention plan. This may include specific dietary modifications, increased fluid targets, or medications that correct the underlying imbalance. Stone analysis is also performed whenever a stone is passed or surgically removed to determine its composition.
Metabolic evaluation and personalized prevention can dramatically reduce the recurrence of kidney stones over time.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones form when the concentration of certain minerals in the urine exceeds the level at which they remain dissolved. Several factors increase the risk of stone formation, and understanding your personal risk factors is the first step toward prevention.
Common causes and risk factors include not drinking enough water (dehydration is the single biggest risk factor), a diet high in sodium, a diet high in oxalate-rich foods such as nuts, spinach, and chocolate, a diet low in citrus, family history of kidney stones, obesity, certain medical conditions including hyperparathyroidism, gout, and recurrent urinary tract infections, and certain medications.
Living in Colorado also increases risk. The state’s high altitude, dry climate, and active outdoor lifestyle contribute to dehydration, which is the primary driver of stone formation. Dr. Fronczak sees a high volume of kidney stone patients in the Aurora and Denver metro area for this reason.
How Kidney Stones Are Diagnosed
Accurate diagnosis is essential for choosing the right treatment. Modern Urology uses imaging and laboratory testing to confirm the presence of a kidney stone, determine its size and location, and identify any complications such as obstruction or infection.
A CT scan without contrast is the gold standard for diagnosing kidney stones in adults. It can detect stones as small as 1-2mm and shows exactly where the stone is located in the urinary tract.
Dr. Fronczak may also order urine testing to check for blood, infection, or mineral abnormalities, and blood work to evaluate kidney function and look for metabolic factors that contribute to stone formation. The results of these tests guide the treatment plan and determine whether the stone is likely to pass on its own or requires intervention.
Treatment: Passing a Kidney Stone on Your Own
Many small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract without surgery, though the process can be painful and unpredictable. Modern Urology monitors patients who are managing a stone conservatively and provides pain management, hydration guidance, and medication to improve the chances of passage.
The likelihood of passing a stone depends primarily on its size. Published research shows the following approximate passage rates:
Stones 1-2mm pass on their own roughly 85-90% of the time, with a mean passage time of about 8 days. Stones 3mm pass approximately 83% of the time in about 13 days. Stones 4mm pass roughly 77% of the time in about 23 days. Stones 5mm drop to about 56% passage rate. Stones 6mm pass only about 41% of the time. Stones 7mm and larger have passage rates of 30% or less, and stones 9mm pass only about 3% of the time.
Even the smallest stone can get stuck and fail to pass. Drinking plenty of fluids increases the chances of passage by keeping urine flowing. In some cases, Dr. Fronczak prescribes tamsulosin, a medication that relaxes the ureter and helps the stone move through more easily. If a stone does not pass within a reasonable timeframe, or if pain becomes unmanageable, surgical options are the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stones
How do I know if I have a kidney stone?
The most common sign of a kidney stone is sudden, severe pain in the back or side that may spread to the lower abdomen or groin. The pain often comes in waves, getting worse and then easing as the stone shifts position. You may also notice blood in your urine, painful urination, or a frequent urge to urinate. If you suspect a kidney stone, call the Modern Urology kidney stone hotline for same-day or next-business-day evaluation. If you have a fever, chills, or vomiting along with stone symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately.
When should I go to the ER for a kidney stone?
Go to the emergency room if you have kidney stone symptoms along with fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. These signs may indicate that infection is present behind a blocked kidney, which is a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment. Also go to the ER if pain is so severe that you cannot keep fluids down or manage it at home. For kidney stone pain without these emergency signs, call Modern Urology’s same-day hotline instead of waiting in the ER.
How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
Passage time depends on the stone’s size. Stones 1 to 2 millimeters wide typically pass in about 8 days. Stones 3 millimeters take roughly 13 days, and 4 millimeter stones may take around 23 days. Stones 5 millimeters and larger are significantly less likely to pass on their own. Drinking plenty of water and, in some cases, taking tamsulosin to relax the ureter can improve the chances. Dr. Fronczak monitors patients who are trying to pass a stone and recommends surgical intervention if the stone does not move within a reasonable timeframe.
What size kidney stone requires surgery?
There is no absolute size cutoff, but stones 5 millimeters and larger generally have a lower chance of passing on their own and may need surgical treatment. Stones 7 millimeters and above are very unlikely to pass without intervention. Even smaller stones can require surgery if they become stuck, cause persistent pain, or lead to infection or obstruction. Dr. Fronczak at Modern Urology evaluates each situation individually and discusses the options, including whether conservative management or surgery is the better path.
What is the best surgery for kidney stones?
The best surgical approach depends on the stone’s size, location, and composition. Laser lithotripsy (ureteroscopy) is the most versatile and commonly used option, effective for stones throughout the ureter and kidney. Shock wave lithotripsy works well for smaller stones in the kidney. PCNL is reserved for large or complex stones that other methods cannot adequately treat. Modern Urology offers all three procedures, and Dr. Fronczak recommends the approach that gives you the best outcome for your specific stone.
How can I prevent kidney stones from coming back?
Prevention starts with staying well-hydrated, drinking 2 to 3 liters of water daily. Adding citrus, reducing sodium, monitoring oxalate intake, and eating a normal-calcium diet all reduce recurrence risk. For patients with recurrent stones, Modern Urology offers a metabolic evaluation using a 24-hour urine collection to identify the specific imbalances causing stones to form. The results allow Dr. Fronczak to create a targeted prevention plan. Personalized prevention based on metabolic testing can dramatically reduce the likelihood of forming another stone.
Does insurance cover kidney stone treatment?
Most health insurance plans cover kidney stone evaluation, imaging, and medically necessary surgical procedures. Coverage for metabolic evaluation and prevention services varies by plan. Modern Urology’s office staff can help answer questions about your specific insurance coverage. Do not let cost concerns keep you from treating a painful or potentially dangerous kidney stone.
Does Modern Urology offer same-day kidney stone appointments?
Yes. Modern Urology operates a dedicated kidney stone hotline for patients experiencing acute stone pain. If you have or suspect a kidney stone but are not experiencing fevers, chills, or vomiting, call the hotline to be seen the same day or the next business day. This urgent access means you do not have to suffer through days of waiting for an appointment. For patients with kidney stones in Aurora, CO, this hotline provides the fastest path to expert evaluation and relief.