Kidney, Bladder & Ureters
Ureteric Stones
Ureteric stones are kidney stones that have moved into the ureter (the tube between the kidney and bladder). They can cause intense pain and block urine flow. Early diagnosis is vital to prevent kidney damage and manage symptoms effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Ureteric stones are kidney stones that have moved into the ureter (the tube between the kidney and bladder). They can cause intense pain and block urine flow. Early diagnosis is vital to prevent kidney damage and manage symptoms effectively.
- We offer specialist diagnostics and treatments. Book a consultation to discuss your options.
Clinical Overview
Understanding Ureteric Stones
Ureteric stones are essentially kidney stones that have started to travel. They move out of the kidney and into the ureter—the narrow, muscular tube that carries pee down to your bladder. Because the ureter is only about 3mm to 4mm wide, even a tiny stone can get stuck. When this happens, the tube goes into spasm to try and push the stone out, and urine can back up into the kidney.
This backup causes the kidney to swell, leading to a type of intense, cramping pain known as "renal colic." This is widely considered one of the most severe forms of physical pain.
What to Look For
Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors
01
Common Symptoms
Excruciating pain: Usually felt in your "flank" (the side of your back, just below the ribs).
Radiating pain: A classic "loin-to-groin" pain that moves down into your lower tummy, or even the testicles in men.
Blood in your pee: Your urine may look pink, red, or brownish (haematuria).
Feeling sick: Intense pain often causes nausea or vomiting.
Urgency: Feeling like you need to pee constantly as the stone moves closer to the bladder.
Cloudy or smelly pee: A sign that you might have an infection as well as a stone.
02
When to Seek Help
When to seek urgent help:
Unbearable pain: If you cannot sit still or find any position that offers relief.
Fever and chills: A high temperature (above 38°C) with back pain is a sign of an "infected blockage," which is a medical emergency.
Constant vomiting: If you cannot keep down water or your prescribed painkillers.
Reduced urine: If you notice you are passing significantly less pee than usual.
03
Potential Causes
Dehydration: Not drinking enough water is the leading cause of stones.
Dietary habits: Eating too much salt, sugar, or animal protein (meat).
Oxalates: High levels of certain chemicals found in foods like spinach, nuts, and beetroot.
Metabolic issues: Your body may be processing calcium or other minerals inefficiently.
Repeated infections: Certain types of "struvite" stones are caused by chronic UTIs.
04
Risk Factors
Previous stone: If you’ve had one stone, there is a 50% chance you’ll get another within 5 to 10 years.
Insufficient fluid: Especially if you work in a hot environment or exercise heavily without rehydrating.
Are overweight: A high BMI changes the chemistry of your urine, making stones more likely.
Have digestive issues: Conditions like Crohn’s disease can affect how your body absorbs calcium and water.
Have family history: Stones often run in families.
Importance of Diagnosis
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
A stone blocking the ureter is a priority because it can cause "silent" damage. If a kidney remains blocked for several weeks, its function can permanently decline. In the UK, the gold standard for diagnosis is a CT scan. This allows urologists to see the exact size, position, and hardness of the stone to decide if it will pass naturally or if you need help to remove it.
The most serious risk is the combination of a stone and an infection. This can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning). Rapid diagnosis ensures that if you have an "infected blockage," you can receive urgent surgery to drain the kidney - usually by inserting a small, temporary plastic tube called a stent, or a nephrostomy tube which drains the kidney through the back.
Importance of Diagnosis
Diagnostic Options & Investigations
To accurately identify the cause of your symptoms, our specialists use a range of targeted investigations. Explore the diagnostic tests below to understand how we confirm a diagnosis and plan your recovery.
Living With Condition
Living With Ureteric Stones
- Conservative Management
- Ureteroscopy (URS)
- Shock Wave Therapy (ESWL)
- Stent Insertion
- Medical Expulsive Therapy
- PCNL
Living with stone disease is about prevention and smart management. For small stones, "Conservative Management" is often best. This means drinking 2.5 to 3 litres of water every day to help flush the stone out. Your doctor might ask you to pee through a sieve or "strainer" to catch the stone so it can be analysed in a lab—this helps us tell you exactly what foods to avoid in the future. If the stone does not pass by itself, then you may need surgery.
If you have surgery, recovery is usually very fast. Most patients are back at work within a few days. You may have a temporary internal tube called a JJ stent to help the ureter heal. While these can feel a very irritating and make you want to pee more often, they are essential for protecting your kidney.
The best way to stay stone-free is a "stone-prevention diet." This involves lowering your salt intake, balancing your calcium, and staying very well-hydrated. We can undertake investigations to help you understand why you may have formed stones and give you advice about how to reduce this risk in the future.
Short-Term Complications
04- Renal Colic: The sudden, intense attacks of pain.
- Hydronephrosis: Swelling of the kidney due to trapped urine.
- UTI: Bacteria growing in the pee that can't move past the stone.
- Urosepsis: A life-threatening reaction to an infection in a blocked kidney.
Long-Term Complications
04- Kidney Scarring: Permanent damage to the filtering units of the kidney.
- Ureteric Stricture: The tube narrowing due to scar tissue from the stone.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): A long-term drop in how well your kidneys work.
- Shrinking Kidney: The kidney losing function and size (atrophy) if left blocked.
Treatment Options
Treatment Options & Care Pathways
Explore the specialist interventions available for Ureteric Stones. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments designed to address your specific symptoms, focusing on long-term recovery and your personal health goals.
Specialists
Our specialists for Ureteric Stones
Leading experts for this condition. View profiles to see clinical backgrounds and current availability.
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Patient Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about specialist referrals and consultations.
3 questions
Not always. While stones under 5mm have a high chance of passing with hydration, stones larger than 7mm are significantly less likely to exit the ureter naturally. The location matters too—stones already near the bladder pass more easily than those high up near the kidney. If a stone is too large or hard, intervention like shock wave or laser treatment is usually necessary.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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JJ stent is a thin, flexible plastic tube that curls at both ends (like a 'J') to stay in place between your kidney and bladder. It is often inserted after laser surgery to ensure the ureter doesn't swell shut during the healing phase. While it can make you want to pee often, have blood in the urine and a pain in your side when you pee, it is essential for protecting your kidney function immediately after a procedure.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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Ultrasound is excellent for seeing if a kidney is swollen (hydronephrosis), but it often misses stones trapped in the middle of the ureter, and can overestimate or underestimate the size of stones in the kidney. A CT KUB is the gold standard because it shows the exact size, location, and hardness (density) of the stone. This information is vital for your urologist to decide on the best management.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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