Precursors of Ureteral Stone Passage

Ureteral calculi (stones) are a relatively common condition in daily life. Generally, men have a higher incidence of ureteral stones than women. When a stone remains stationary within the ureter, patients typically experience no symptoms. However, once the stone begins to move, it may cause severe pain, necessitating prompt medical intervention to prevent harm to overall health. So, what are the early signs indicating that a ureteral stone is about to pass? The following section addresses this question.

Early Signs of Ureteral Stone Passage

1. Painful Urination (Dysuria)

Patients often experience marked pain during urination, radiating to the glans penis. Posterior urethral stones may cause pain in the perineum and scrotum. There is also localized tenderness and pain at the site of the stone; if infection is present, local pain intensifies, accompanied by purulent discharge from the urethral meatus and worsening bladder irritative symptoms. Additionally, anterior urethral stones may be palpable as nodular masses along the penile shaft, and part of the stone may occasionally be visible at the external urethral orifice.

2. Urinary Obstruction

When a stone becomes impacted in the urethra, it can cause difficulty urinating, reduced urinary stream caliber, or even a dripping pattern; intermittent urine flow and urinary retention may also occur. Complete obstruction leads to acute urinary retention. For anterior urethral stones, treatment typically involves performing a penile root block anesthesia, applying pressure proximal to the stone to prevent retrograde movement, instilling sterile liquid paraffin, and gently pushing the stone distally for retrieval using a hook or forceps. If extraction proves difficult, ureteroscopy-assisted lithotripsy followed by stone removal is preferred. Urethrotomy should be avoided whenever possible to prevent subsequent urethral stricture.

Knowledge Extension: Methods for Stone Expulsion

1. Pharmacological Stone Expulsion

During treatment, patients must consistently take Shijietong Granules. Even after the stone has passed, continued administration for approximately seven days is recommended to ensure thorough resolution of the condition and to help flush out any undetected small particles or residual debris within the urinary tract. Moreover, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) generally does not require anesthesia and causes only mild discomfort.

2. Physical Activity for Stone Expulsion

For stones smaller than 5 mm, jumping rope for 20 minutes daily is highly effective—not only aiding stone expulsion but also enhancing immune function and promoting recovery. ESWL utilizes externally generated shock waves precisely targeted at the stone to fragment it into smaller pieces, which are then naturally excreted.

3. Hydration for Stone Expulsion

Typically, when experiencing severe renal colic, patients should keep a cup of water readily available and drink copiously upon onset of pain—continuing until a strong urge to urinate is felt. Increased fluid intake serves to dilate the urinary tract, thereby minimizing friction between the stone and the urothelial wall, reducing both inflammation and pain.

The above outlines the early signs indicating passage of a ureteral stone. We hope this information proves helpful to you.