If you are looking for kidney stone treatment in Sonipat, the most reassuring fact is this: almost every stone can be treated, and today most are removed without a single large cut. Kidney stones are one of the most common urological problems in Sonipat and across Haryana, and the searing pain they cause sends many people to the emergency room each year. This guide from our urology department in Sonipat explains what kidney stones are, how to recognise them, why they form, when to see a urologist, and how they are treated at Memorial Hospital.
What is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a hard, crystal-like deposit that forms inside the kidney when certain minerals and salts in the urine become too concentrated. Stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a marble. A small stone may travel down the urinary tract and pass out in the urine on its own. A larger stone can get stuck - in the kidney, in the ureter (the narrow tube that carries urine to the bladder), or in the bladder - and block the flow of urine. That blockage is what causes the sudden, severe pain for which stones are known.
Stones are very common, and once you have had one you are more likely to form another. That is why both prompt treatment and long-term prevention matter.
Symptoms and warning signs
The classic symptom is renal colic: a sudden, intense pain in the side and back, just below the ribs, that often comes in waves and may spread to the lower abdomen and groin. The pain can be so severe that it is hard to sit still, and it does not ease whatever position you try.
Other warning signs include blood in the urine (which may look pink, red or brown), a burning feeling when passing urine, an urgent and frequent need to urinate, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and nausea or vomiting. If a stone causes an infection, you may also develop fever and chills - this combination needs urgent medical attention, because an infected, blocked kidney can become dangerous quickly.
Why kidney stones form
Stones form when the balance of water and minerals in the urine is disturbed. The single biggest risk factor is not drinking enough water, which is especially relevant in Haryana’s hot summers, when fluid is lost through sweat and the urine becomes concentrated. The more concentrated the urine, the more easily crystals form and grow.
Other risk factors include a diet high in salt and animal protein, being overweight, a family history of stones, recurrent urinary infections, and certain medical conditions such as gout. Some people simply have a tendency to form stones and need to be more careful with hydration and diet than others.
When should you see a urologist?
See a urologist promptly if you have severe or persistent pain in the side or back, blood in your urine, or difficulty passing urine. Even a single painless episode of blood in the urine should always be checked, as it can have causes that need attention beyond stones.
Go to the emergency department immediately if pain comes with fever and chills, if you are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down, or if you are passing very little or no urine. These can signal a blocked, infected kidney, which is a medical emergency. At Memorial Hospital, severe stone pain is seen through our 24×7 emergency service, and the urology OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, for assessment and planned treatment.
How is a kidney stone diagnosed?
When you arrive with stone symptoms, the diagnosis is usually confirmed quickly. An ultrasound of the abdomen can show a stone and any swelling of the kidney, and is safe and widely available. A CT scan gives the clearest picture of a stone’s exact size and position and is often used to plan treatment. A urine test checks for infection and blood, while blood tests show how well the kidneys are working. At Memorial Hospital, in-house ultrasound, X-ray and laboratory facilities mean this assessment can usually be done in a single visit, so there is no delay between recognising the problem and planning the right treatment for you.
How kidney stones are treated at Memorial Hospital, Sonipat
Treatment depends on the size and position of the stone. Small stones are often managed conservatively - with plenty of fluids, pain relief and medication that relaxes the urinary tract to help the stone pass. Larger stones, or stones that are stuck or causing infection, need to be removed.
Our urologist, Dr. Gaurav Singh Randhawa (M.Ch Urology), specialises in endo-urology: minimally invasive, scope-based surgery performed without large open cuts. He has carried out more than 10,000 such procedures. The main techniques are described below.
Ureteroscopy (URS) and RIRS
A thin scope is passed up the urinary tract to reach the stone, which is then broken up with a laser and removed. RIRS (retrograde intrarenal surgery) reaches stones inside the kidney itself. There are no external cuts, and most patients recover quickly. Dr. Randhawa has performed over 3,000 ureteroscopy procedures.
PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy)
For larger kidney stones, a small keyhole is made in the back so the stone can be removed directly through a scope. It is the standard treatment for big or complex stones, and Dr. Randhawa has performed over 3,000 PCNL procedures. Because the incision is tiny, recovery is far quicker than after old-style open surgery.
Whichever method is used, the goal is the same: clear the stone, protect the kidney and get you back to normal life as fast as possible, with the least discomfort.
Preventing future stones
After a stone, simple steps cut the risk of another. Drink enough water through the day so your urine stays pale - in Haryana’s climate that often means two to three litres, and more in summer or if you work outdoors. Reduce salt, moderate your intake of animal protein, and keep to a healthy weight. If you form stones repeatedly, your urologist can test the stone and your urine to find the specific cause and tailor a prevention plan for you.
Related reading from our urology team: why kidney stone cases spike in Haryana's summers, what blood in the urine can mean beyond stones, and the prostate symptoms men over 50 should not ignore.
Frequently asked questions
Do all kidney stones need surgery?
No. Many small stones pass on their own with plenty of fluids and medication. A scope procedure or surgery is needed mainly for larger stones, stones that are stuck, or stones causing infection or blockage.
Is kidney stone surgery painful?
Modern stone treatment is minimally invasive and done under anaesthesia, so the procedure itself is not painful. There may be mild discomfort afterwards, which settles quickly, and most patients are surprised how soon they are back to normal.
Which doctor treats kidney stones in Sonipat?
A urologist treats kidney stones. At Memorial Hospital, Sonipat, Dr. Gaurav Singh Randhawa (M.Ch Urology) has performed more than 10,000 endo-urology procedures. The urology OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Can kidney stones come back?
Yes. Once you have had a stone you are more likely to form another, but good hydration and simple dietary changes greatly reduce the risk.
Take the next step
If you have stone symptoms, do not wait for the pain to become unbearable. Learn more about our kidney stone specialist in Sonipat, or book an appointment with Dr. Gaurav Singh Randhawa, MBBS, MS, M.Ch (Urology) - OPD Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. For sudden severe pain with fever or an inability to pass urine, call our 24×7 emergency line straight away. This article is general information and not a substitute for a consultation.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gaurav Singh Randhawa, MBBS, MS, M.Ch (Urology), Memorial Hospital, Sonipat.
Related specialty: Urology
Editorial note: This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your specific symptoms. Last updated on 17 July 2026.
