Shock Wave Lithotripsy or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy, is the most common treatment for kidney stones the kidney or the ureter in the U.S. It is a nonsurgical procedure in which high-energy shock waves from outside the body are targeted at a kidney stone causing the stone to brake into tiny enough pieces to be passed in urine. About 1-2 thousand shock waves are needed to crush the stones. The complete treatment takes about 45 to 60 minutes and if large pieces remain, another treatment can be performed. 50-75% of people are found to be free of stones within three months of this treatment. However, Shock Wave Lithotripsy treatment cannot be used in everyone. For very large or oddly shaped stones, stones that are very hard, other treatments
