When it comes to kidney stones, first you need to know various facts, for example, almost half of the stones that have passed can be found again in 5 or 10 years. But first, you have to pay attention to how big they are. Stones can be quite tiny, the size of a grain of sand. However, the largest ones can be the size of a golf ball. It should be noted that stones of such large sizes cause the most significant changes in a person’s life. We hope this blog will help you understand the scales of things and tell you facts that you might not have heard before.
What is the maximum size of a kidney stone?
The size of a kidney stone can be very diverse, and it can vary from tiny grains of sand to much more substantial and more obstructive formations. In most cases, however, kidney stones are small, frequently around 5 millimeters, yet they can travel through the urinary tract on their own while still being very painful. Still, stones do sometimes grow this large. The maximum size of a kidney stone can be over 5 centimeters in diameter, which is the size of a golf ball.
At this point, a kidney stone does not really resemble a stone anymore. Instead, it would split into what is known as “staghorn” stones due to their shape, which can fill up most of a kidney. By definition, a staghorn stone forms when a stone grows and protrudes into the renal pelvis and calyces. This stone formation is named due to it its reminiscent shape of antlers.
Naturally, large stones, and especially those over 2 centimeters long, pose a serious risk for a person’s health. They are likely to cause the urinary problems mentioned prior, such as pain and infections, but to a much higher degree. They can also block the urinary passage, causing an even more severe version of the pain. In addition to that, it is also possible to develop high fever and even kidney damage.
What size of kidney stone is too big to pass?
The sizes of kidney stones that are too big to pass can be broken down as follows:
- Under 5 millimeters: While still painful, stones this size are small enough to pass on their own.
- 5 to 7 mm: Some small stones pass naturally, but stones in this size range are more likely to become stuck and may require medical intervention to remove.
- 7 mm to 1 centimeter: Stones in this size range cannot pass naturally and must generally be broken up or removed. A person should receive shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy to remove the stones.
- Over 1 cm: At this size, a kidney stone cannot pass on its own and will require some medical intervention to remove. Surgery is often the most effective option, particularly for stones that are too large to pass at all.
- Staghorn stones over 2 cm: At this point, the majority of the kidney is full of a stone or stones that either will not or cannot pass. Staghorn stones are daunting and require surgical removal.
Stones over 7 mm are not likely to pass on their own and should be considered for treatment.
The treatment for large kidney stones includes :- Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery or RIRS which is done by using a flexible ureteroscope that helps the surgeon to enter the kidney. Another option is shock wave lithotripsy which is done by using sound waves to break the stone into small pieces, ureteroscopy which is done by using a scope to remove or break the stone or using percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Besides one can drink plenty of water and make changes in their diet to prevent the growth of large stones in human kidney. But in case the size of kidney stones have become large then it is highly recommended to get proper medical treatment in time or the patients may suffer from long term damage.
CureStone: Your Trusted Kidney Health Solutions
Kidney issues are a pain to deal with, but rest assured that at CureStone, we offer the help that you need to get better and stay that way. Our experienced team will give you a package of care that’s tailored to your needs and which will both support you and help to remedy your problem. Not only do we help to treat current kidney stones—we are also focussed on bolstering our patients against any recurrence of their issues. From the first advice and consultation to the final stages of the process, we will help you with our full package of care to keep you pain-free and stone-free.
We provide full evaluations and examination, then devise an individualised care plan for you with careful and expert advice. We continue our service into aftercare, not only to meet your needs but to help to ensure ongoing success in preventing a recurrence.
Stay healthy, stay with us—get in touch today, email and see what we can do for you!