In addition to causing pain, can kidney stones actually cause permanent damage to your kidney? The unfortunate answer is yes, kidney stones in some cases can actually result in a “dead” kidney or kidney failure. The good news though is that this doesn’t happen very often and it often takes a long time to occur, providing the opportunity for treatment to occur before permanent damage occurs.
Kidney stones can cause kidney damage in two primary ways.
1) An untreated obstructing stone that causes persistent severe blockage instead of successfully passing can eventually cause atrophy in a kidney, resulting in a dilated, thinned out kidney with minimal function.
Thankfully, because most stones are associated with significant amounts of pain, most patients will seek treatment long before permanent damage can occur. However, in cases where patients have “silent” stones that cause little or no pain, long term obstruction can occasionally lead to kidney damage. With no symptoms to warn them, these patients often go months to years before a stone is diagnosed.
The CT scan below demonstrates a left kidney which has been damaged by a large obstructing left ureteral stone. For comparison, note the normal size right kidney. The patient did not have any symptoms of pain and the stone was found after the CT scan was obtained for the finding of blood in the urine.
2) Infection related stones, usually composed of struvite and sometimes presenting as a complete “staghorn” can lead to ongoing chronic urinary tract infections that cause damage slowly through inflammation and scarring of the kidney tissue.
The CT scan below demonstrates an atrophic right kidney due to a large “staghorn” infection stone. This patient also has left kidney stones and presented with recurrent infections and left sided back pain.
How often do kidney stones cause kidney failure?
The most recent data from the United States Renal Data System indicates that “other urologic diseases” (which would include stones) was the cause in 2% of cases of kidney failure in the United States. The two most common causes of kidney failure were diabetes and high blood pressure. In the United States, there was a total of 571,414 Americans with kidney failure in 2009. 116,395 new cases of kidney failure developed during the year. Consistent with this US data, kidney stones were also reported to be the cause of kidney failure in 1 to 3% of all patients undergoing dialysis in two studies from France and Tunisia.
Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys do not work normally. The kidneys’ job in the body is to filter blood, remove waste, and regulate salt and water. If chronic kidney disease is severe enough such that the kidneys stop working completely (>90% of function lost), it is called kidney failure or “end stage renal disease”. In these cases, patients require replacement kidney treatment through dialysis or a kidney transplant.
One reason why kidney stones don’t often cause chronic kidney disease or failure more often is because in most cases, kidney stones will cause damage to only one kidney. Patients whose other kidney is healthy will usually not develop kidney failure. Exceptions to this can occur in cases of kidney stones affecting both kidneys, large infection stones occurring in both kidneys, certain congenital causes of kidney stones, and in patients with only one kidney (40% of patients with kidney failure from kidney stones in the study from France had only one functional kidney).
Stone types causing kidney failure in a study of 45 patients (Paris, France).
| Stone Type | Percentage of cases |
| Struvite (infection) | 42.2% |
| Calcium based | 26.7% |
| Uric acid | 17.8% |
| Congenital (hyperoxaluria type 1and cystinuria) | 13.3% |
How can I avoid developing kidney damage from my stones?
The good news is that for the vast majority of kidney stone patients, significant kidney damage is unlikely. To be on the safe side, there are a few steps you can take.
- If you develop a stone episode but do not pass a stone or undergo treatment within a few months, you may want to consider getting followup imaging with your doctor to insure that the stone has actually passed and is not causing persistent obstruction. This is more of a concern for larger stones (greater than 6mm or so).
- Patients with large infection related stones (struvite) are at increased risk for kidney damage from their stones. They should be sure to have their stones treated and need followup to insure infections and stones do not return.
- Work with your doctor to prevent future stones. A prevention plan may include testing for the reason why you are forming stones, diet changes, or in certain cases, medications.
References
Floege: Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, 4th ed.
Jungers and colleagues, “ESRD caused by Nephrolithiasis: Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Prevention”. American Journal of Kidney Diseases 2004.
Ounissi and colleagues, “Nephrolithiais-induced end stage renal disease”. International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease.
U S Renal Data System, USRDS 2011 Annual Data Report: Atlas of Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 2011.
earlier this year, a separate issue caused me to go to the Emergency room where a subsequent MRI for another issue identified a series of kidney stones on one side. a 1.1CM kidney stone, followed by 2 or 3 5mm stones. These were effectively blocking all passage or urine and was putting my kidney in distress. After months of enduring stents, surgeries (they had to open up a hole in my back and remove the stones from there) and almost unbearable pain (even with the pain killers prescribed) I’m now on the mend. The Drs say that there are more stones on the kidneys waiting and the urologist has prescribed a urine collection kit to see what is causing these stones and an MRI to see if the kidney has returned to normal now that normal urine flow has been regained. The odd part of all this is that other than periodic twinges from my side, I did not experience any of the kidney stone pain I normally associate with passing a kidney stone. This 1.1CM stone had calcified in place and was not removable outside of surgery. Dr was concerned that my kidney values are borderline for kidney disease and wants to keep an eye on that.
[…] over a few decades in several regions in Central America and Mexico, a CKDu referred to as the Mesoamerican nephropathy . It was estimated in 2013 that at least 20,000 men had died prematurely, some in their 20s and […]
I drink I to 2 litres of boiled water with the juice of half an organic lemon squeezed into each glassful, every day. I’m not certain why that works to either stop the stones from forming, keeps them really small or somehow coats them with a slippery film which makes it easier to pass. Once you get into the routine of drinking that juice daily, it’s acceptable to your palate. The downside is that I’m unable to have a great night’s sleep because I’m up several times going to the bathroom to pass all that liquid. Everyone has to be pro-active, meaning if what a doctor says doesn’t sound right, ask for another opinion. Aging is such a drag!
I lost my only two siblings in the last three yrs to kidney failure. I’ve had very large kidney stones broken by ultrasound ten yrs ago before this opioid crisis causes older pain patients to suffer. Is there a test my family dr can do to check for hereditary kidney failure dince both my brothers died from kidney failure in last three yrs?
[…] Can kidney stones cause kidney failure or damage … […]
I have two kidneys full of embryos. Yes, that is what the doctor referred them as. I had surgery on Fridays for four weeks. Once it became bloody they couldn’t see, thus the multiple week surgeries. These were to remove the big stones, mediums and small stones. There were many embryos that were left not yet mature. I am a kidney stone factory! I have had all the different treatments and surgeries. I am plagued with stones. I pass them all the time now on my own for years. I don’t even go to the doctors, only if I feel the need for antibiotics. I should be a case study.
I too had to have surgery to remove 3 stones 1-1.1cm stone and several 5mm stones). Even though the insurance paid the majority of the cost, I was surprised to see how much the cost was in total! At that price, kidney stones should be prized by girlfriends and wives and worn in rings! My kidney stone was far more expensive than any engagement ring! With the added bonus of I made it myself!
My boyfriend is 19, he has had kidney stones since him and I first got together when we were 16. He gets them once to twice a year. Should we be worried?
No answer? 😮
I had a kidney stone on my right side (4.2mm) in November 2017. May 17, 2018 i had one on my left side (4.9). Thats only half a year later, should i be worried that something is wrong with my kidneys? I dont drink water as often as i should. Could that be the reason i got another so quickly?
Water water water…….I have had kidney stones for 13 years, some so big they had to go in and get them out……….If you have questions, feel free to contact me
hi Sherry,
I have a very big stone also. What did you mean they had to go in and get them out? Did you have open surgery? I’ve been trying to learn as much as i can–so that i know what to expect. A radiologist looking at my ct scan commented that i have a stone that looks as big as a tonka-truck! I know that was an exaggeration but I’m really freaked out. I know it’s not good and is affecting my kidney function. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Denise
YES! It’s is very important to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day if not more and watch the diet not to have too much sodium as this is a lesson I have learned the hard way. Drinking plenty of water each day and low sodium helps to reduce the chances of getting kidney stones. Speak to your urologist about it. Each person is different and as you probably have found out there are different types of kidney stones and sizes. Ask questions, ask a lot of questions to your doctor. Drinking plenty of water each day along with a healthy diet is very important for overall good health and making sure you get a natural of foods that contain probiotics also known as the good, friendly bacteria which plays are far more important in overall health than many people even realize and especially needs to be replaced in the body if you just finished an antibiotic. I also added to my diet Activia 60 calorie yogurt because it
doesn’t have all the bad added sugar in it and their probiotic 0g sugar added smoothies taste good as well. You also get them from fiber, fruits and veggies. Ask your doctor if you’re uncertain about anything.
I had lithotripsy on my right kidney April 20 . They blasted 2 big stones 7 & 8 mm
Unfortunately over the next almost 2 weeks no fragments/pieces passed. I had intense pain in kidney and felt like something was stuck in the ureter. I went to the ER where I was told the fragments were in my kidney moving around. Gave pain and nausea shot given orders to rest no pain meds. I went home only to be back in the ER exactly one week later . I had passed a big stone (5-6mm) the day after last ER visit. I was told after I had a MRI that my kidney was swollen ( I knew this as I can feel it) and it’s damaged and needed to heal. ( if possible) I was given naproxen for inflammation; meds for nausea & pain meds ( I’m allergic/sensitive to almost all drugs most people love- hydros tranadol OxyContin etc) so here I am about to have my follow up from the lithotripsy and I’m in more pain. So sick of the stones. This was my 1x having stones blasted on tight side. Usually it’s my left side (9mm ) it loves to produce stones in a matter of weeks. Any advice on the swelling as NSAIDS aren’t good for the body.
Lithotripsy is much more expensive and extremely painful………I will NEVER let them do that to me again………..let them laser them if the are too big……if you have any questions, feel free to contact me☺
Hello Sherry. I would love to speak with you about your experience. Is that ok? I am new to this thread.
Try Chinca piedra. It is an herbal supplement that is very successful at shrinking g stones. Been around for decades
If you have a kidney stone blocking your ureter or causing pain you need treatment. If the kidney becomes enlarged it can collapse your lung. If the kidney stone is left unchecked it can cause scarring which can cause strictures. Your kidneys affect your blood pressure. There is also the chance of renal failure and septic shock.
My father is 57 and has recently been diagnosed with a ureteral kidney stone, too big to pass on its own and the suspicion is that its been there for a while since most of his kidney tissue has been damaged. His urologist did the ESWL procedure on him and it didn’t do much and now he is suggesting removing the kidney because he thinks that even if the stone is removed the kidney using another procedure the kidney will still be dead and will eventually have to be removed, but my family is not sure if that’s the best option.
I’m 31 I have a large stone in left kidney to big to pass on my own it keeps me in pain almost daily the hospital doesn’t seem to worried about it even though it is intensely painful to me 3 days out of a week on average the rest of the time its just a stabbing pain that comes and goes I have been suffering with this for almost a yr I have no insurance so I need 27000 dollars to be able to have a normal life or pray it just kills me quickly is there anything I can do to keep the pain at bay besides drugs
Cheaper to fly to a country with universal health care or a version of it and get treatment there. Even paying cash prices, you’ll still pay a fraction of what you’d pay in the US.
The laser surgery should only cost about $2,000 to $3,500 to break up a stone. You need to find a physician who will allow you to make payments. You have to take care of this. Find another doctor I think you have a malpractice case.
Try Braggs vinagar and honey. Put 3 tables spoons of Braggs in a coffe cup and add 3 tables spoons of honey, fill the cup with water and put in the microwave for a couple minutes. Drink it as fast as possible. The vinagar and honey seem to devolve the stone for me
Try Braggs vinagar and honey. Put 3 tables spoons of Braggs in a coffe cup and add 3 tables spoons of honey, fill the cup with water and put in the microwave for a couple minutes. Drink it as fast as possible. The vinagar and honey seem to devolve the stone for me
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I HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE STONE IN MY LEFT BEAN-KIDNEY FOR 3 YRS. NOW. SINCE THE COMMUNIST CARE ACT FOR OUR HEALTH, WE CAN NOT FIND AN INSURANCE CO. ON-LINE THAT WILL ACTUALLY HELP ME. MY HUSBANDS’ HEALTH PLAN AT HIS EMPLOYER IS ETNA, AND IT IS VERY WORST EVER IN THE WORLD FOR HEALTH CARE, AN 18,000.00 PAYMENT IS REQUIRED UP FRONT, NO JOKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO GET PAIN MEDICATIONS HERE IN MY STATE BECAUSE ALL THE DOCTORS ARE SO ANAL;I CAN ONLY TAKE A MILD MEDICATION ANYWAY.YOU ARE NOT ALONE WITH YOUR SITUATION, MANY OTHERS ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. MY LIFE AS AN ARTIST HAS MOSTLY STOPPED BECAUSE I AM SO ILL NOW. IT IS JUST LIFE. PREPARE FOR ETERNITY IS WHAT I SAY-HAVE FAITH IN GOD IS ALL I CAN SAY. OUR WORLD IS NOT A HELPFUL PLACE ANYMORE. JUST DO YOUR BEST TO HANG IN. SINCERELY, I WISH I WAS STONED….OH, I AM….KIDNEY STONED THAT IS.
i ve stone in my ureter for two yrs,ct scan couldnt see it but i get the feeling there,very burning sensetion at my right back.doct said they couldnt see anything,that am ok but am dying.started taking coconut water and kidney tonyfing capsule,got a little relief,the stone is moving down but i dont know if it has affected my right kidney
that is a good thing it is moving. strange tho that the ct didn’t see the stone. i wish you luck on passing it.
Has anyone had an “impacted” stone in their ureter? If so, how long does it take for a stone in the ureter to become impacted? Can it happen in a week? A month? Any doctors know the answer? Thanks
I’m not a dr, but my first diagnosed stone was found because it was impacted at the top of my ureter and partially blocking it. That stone was 8mm. As to how long it takes to become impacted…well, it’s not really about time. It’s about where the stone formed in the kidney, its size (larger ones more likely to get stuck), its shape (jackstones and jagged stones are more likely to get impacted), and other factors like the diameter & flexibility of your ureters. I know all this because I have a condition that means I have stones literally all the time, so I’ve had virtually every kind of scenario. I’ve become very well-educated over last 12yrs. More educated on the subject than I ever wanted to be, to tell the truth. Now, I will say it usually takes time for a stone to become large enough to become impacted, but how much depends entirely on you. By that I mean your diet, overall health, body chemistry, stone history, type of stone involved, and so forth. If you have an impacted stone, I urge you to see a urologist as soon as possible to get imaging and a treatment plan because an untreated impacted stone can cause severe problems. Like massive infection, swelling of the kidney which is very dangerous, complete blockage of the affected ureter which in turn can cause even worse issues, and so much else. I guess in the end does it really matter how long it took to happen? Now that it has, the time element that’s important is how quickly you get it treated. I hope all goes well. I also hope I don’t sound bossy, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take because I almost died 3yrs ago when an impacted stone shifted position. Two days later I was in an icu near death from sepsis, had 2 surgeries within a week, and spent about 10 days in the hospital… should’ve just gone to the doctor, but I was so tired dealing with my stones. I didn’t go even tho’ I knew I needed new imaging and a check-up, and so I ended up almost dying from a stone that could have been treated long before it got to that point.
My husband almost died from a blocked Ureter too. He had two strictures the ER DR and Radiologist missed. He was sent home without being treated.
from what i have read, impacted means not moving. i don’t think anyone could really answer your question as to how long does it takes for a stone to become impacted. larger stones do become stuck. i have just had surgery to remove a very large stone (3cm) on 4/13/2018. we do know it had been stuck in the lower part of the ureter for at least 3 years. i had no pain with this stone, just sickly at times. no one told me that i had a “bladder stone” is the reason it took so long to discover it. the nurse in ER made me think about my symptoms. lucky for me the doctor listened to me and ordered a ct. if you feel you have a stone, push the issue to be checked.