Kidney Stone Removal in Birmingham
Kidney stones are one of the most common urological conditions, affecting around 1 in 10 people in the UK at some point in their lives. Mr Syed Ali Shahzad, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, offers expert assessment and minimally invasive kidney stone removal at private hospitals across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones (renal calculi) are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They can develop when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallise and stick together. Stones vary in size from a grain of sand to several centimetres and can be found in the kidney, ureter or bladder.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Not all kidney stones cause symptoms. When they do, common symptoms include:
- Severe, sudden pain in the back or side (renal colic)
- Pain radiating to the groin or lower abdomen
- Blood in the urine (haematuria)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent or painful urination
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Fever and chills (if infection is present)
Diagnosis
Mr Shahzad uses a combination of clinical assessment, blood and urine tests, and imaging studies to diagnose and characterise kidney stones. CT scanning provides the most detailed information about stone size, location and density, which guides the choice of treatment.
Kidney Stone Removal Treatments
The appropriate treatment depends on the size and location of the stone, as well as your symptoms and overall health. Options include:
- Conservative management: Small stones (under 5mm) may pass spontaneously with adequate hydration and pain relief.
- Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy: A flexible or rigid telescope is passed through the urethra to break up and remove stones using laser energy. This is performed under general anaesthetic as a day case.
- Rigid and Flexible Ureterorenoscopy: Suitable for stones in the ureter and kidney. Learn more about ureterorenoscopy.
- PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): For larger kidney stones, a small incision in the back allows direct access to the kidney to remove the stone.
- Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL): Sound waves are used to break stones into smaller fragments that can be passed naturally.
Kidney Stone Prevention
After successful stone removal, kidney stone prevention is essential to reduce the risk of recurrence. Mr Shahzad provides personalised dietary and lifestyle advice and, where appropriate, metabolic assessment to identify underlying causes.
Why Choose Mr Shahzad for Kidney Stone Removal?
Mr Syed Ali Shahzad is an experienced kidney stone specialist with advanced training in ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. He holds fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS Urol) and the European Board of Urology (FEBU) and is Renal Service Lead at Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust.
He practises at leading private hospitals including the Priory Hospital Birmingham, Harborne Hospital (HCA), Spire Little Aston and West Midlands Hospital, Halesowen.
Book a Kidney Stone Consultation in Birmingham
If you are experiencing kidney stone symptoms or have been told you have a kidney stone, early assessment can prevent complications. No GP referral is required. Mr Shahzad is recognised by BUPA, AXA, AVIVA, Vitality, Cigna and WPA and welcomes self-pay patients. Book an appointment or contact us today.