Medically reviewed by Dr. Griffin M, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Urology). Specialist in Urology, Andrology & Kidney Transplant Surgery | Last reviewed: August 2026
Kidney stones can be extremely painful, and if left untreated, they can lead to serious complications. Getting timely care from an experienced Kidney Stone Specialist in Tamil Nadu ensures an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan built around your specific condition. Seeking medical attention early not only relieves symptoms but also helps protect kidney function and reduces the chances of stones coming back.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know — from common symptoms and available treatment options to what recovery looks like and when it’s time to consult a specialist.
Meet Dr. Griffin M
Dr. Griffin M is an experienced Urologist, Andrologist, and Kidney Transplant Surgeon with more than 16+ years of experience in treating kidney stones and a wide range of urological conditions. He is committed to delivering evidence-based, patient-focused care using advanced minimally invasive techniques for better outcomes and faster recovery.
Highlights
- Qualification: MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Urology)
- Experience: 16+ Years in Urology
- Specialties: Urology, Andrology, Kidney Stone Treatment, Kidney Transplant Surgery
- Advanced Procedures: RIRS, PCNL, Mini PCNL, Ureteroscopy (URS), and Laser Kidney Stone Surgery
- Clinical Approach: Personalised treatment plans based on each patient’s condition and diagnostic findings
- Academic Excellence: Completed MCh in Urology at Madras Medical College after securing the State Rank in the entrance examination
- Medical Education: Assistant Professor of Urology at Saveetha Medical College
- Hospital Associations: Apollo Spectra Hospital (MRC Nagar), V.S. Hospitals (Kilpauk), and Dr. Rex’s Hospital, Chennai
- Focus Areas: Minimally invasive stone surgery, recurrent kidney stone management, endourology, and comprehensive urological care
- Patient Care: Dedicated to accurate diagnosis, clear communication, and treatment that supports quicker recovery with minimal discomfort
Kidney Stone Specialist in Tamil Nadu: Why Choose Dr. Griffin?
Choosing the right urologist plays an important role in achieving the best possible treatment outcome. Dr. Griffin combines advanced medical training with years of surgical experience to provide safe, evidence-based, and patient-centred care. Every treatment plan is carefully tailored to the patient’s condition, ensuring effective stone removal while preserving long-term kidney health.
Why patients choose Dr. Griffin:
- Over 16 years of experience in diagnosing and treating kidney stone disease
- MCh-qualified Urologist with expertise in advanced minimally invasive procedures
- Skilled in Laser Kidney Stone Surgery, RIRS, PCNL, Mini PCNL, and Ureteroscopy (URS)
- Personalised treatment plans based on the size, location, and type of kidney stone
- Clear communication that helps patients understand every step of their treatment
- Focus on faster recovery, reduced discomfort, and long-term stone prevention
- Comprehensive follow-up care to minimise the risk of stone recurrence
Conditions Treated
Kidney stone disease doesn’t always show up the same way — it can affect different parts of the urinary tract, and each situation calls for a treatment approach tailored to the stone’s size, location, composition, and the patient’s overall health. A thorough clinical evaluation, backed by imaging and lab investigations, helps pinpoint the right treatment while keeping the risk of complications and recurrence as low as possible.
Some of the common conditions treated include:
- Kidney Stones (Renal Calculi): Stones that form within the kidneys, which may stay silent for a while or cause severe pain once they start moving into the urinary tract.
- Ureteric Stones: Stones that get lodged in the ureter, often blocking urine flow and leading to intense flank pain, nausea, vomiting, or urinary discomfort.
- Bladder Stones: Stones that either form in or travel to the bladder, commonly causing pain during urination, frequent urges to urinate, blood in the urine, or recurring urinary tract infections.
- Staghorn Kidney Stones: Large, branch-shaped stones that fill a significant part of the kidney’s collecting system, usually requiring advanced minimally invasive procedures like PCNL for complete removal.
- Recurrent Kidney Stone Disease: For patients who keep developing stones, treatment alone isn’t enough — a metabolic evaluation and preventive plan are essential to reduce future episodes.
- Silent Kidney Stones: Stones that show up unexpectedly during routine check-ups or imaging done for unrelated reasons, even when the patient has no symptoms at all.
- Multiple or Complex Kidney Stones: Cases involving multiple stones or stones spread across different parts of the urinary tract often need specialized planning using advanced endourological techniques.
With an accurate diagnosis, the urologist can recommend the safest and most effective treatment path — one that relieves symptoms, protects kidney function, and lowers the chances of stones coming back in the future.
Kidney Stone Treatment Options
Treatment for kidney stones is personalised and depends on several factors, including the stone’s size, location, composition, symptoms, and its effect on kidney function. After a detailed clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory investigations, your urologist will recommend the most appropriate treatment to achieve complete stone clearance while minimising discomfort and reducing the risk of recurrence.
- Medical Management: Small kidney stones, typically less than 5 mm, may pass naturally with conservative treatment. This approach includes drinking plenty of fluids, taking prescribed pain-relieving medications, and using medicines that help relax the ureter to make stone passage easier. Regular follow-up may be advised to confirm that the stone has passed completely.
- ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): ESWL is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-energy shock waves to break kidney stones into tiny fragments. These fragments are then passed naturally through the urine over the following days or weeks. It is most effective for selected stones of suitable size and location and usually requires little or no hospital stay.
- Ureteroscopy (URS): During URS, a thin, flexible scope is passed through the natural urinary tract to locate the stone. A laser is used to break the stone into smaller pieces, which are either removed or allowed to pass naturally. This minimally invasive procedure offers high success rates, no external incisions, and a relatively quick recovery.
- PCNL / Mini PCNL: These minimally invasive procedures are recommended for large, multiple, or complex kidney stones that cannot be treated effectively with other methods. A small incision is made in the back to access the kidney, allowing specialised instruments to remove the stone. Mini PCNL uses a smaller access tract, which may reduce blood loss, postoperative discomfort, and recovery time.
- RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery): RIRS uses a flexible ureteroscope and Holmium laser to treat stones located within the kidney through the natural urinary passage, eliminating the need for external cuts. It is particularly beneficial for stones in difficult-to-reach areas and is associated with minimal pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
The final treatment recommendation is made after discussing the benefits, possible risks, expected recovery, and long-term prevention strategies, ensuring that the chosen approach is best suited to your individual condition and overall health.
Minimally Invasive Techniques for Kidney Stone Removal
Modern urology offers several minimally invasive techniques to remove kidney stones while reducing the need for large surgical incisions. The choice of procedure depends on factors such as the stone’s size, location, number, and complexity, along with the patient’s overall health. A detailed evaluation helps the urologist select the safest and most appropriate approach.
- Laser-Assisted Stone Removal: Laser technology can be used during procedures such as ureteroscopy and RIRS to break stones into smaller fragments, which can then be removed or passed naturally through the urine.
- RIRS: Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery allows the urologist to reach stones inside the kidney through the natural urinary passage using a flexible ureteroscope. A laser can then fragment the stone without requiring an external incision.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is generally considered for larger or complex kidney stones. The procedure uses a small access tract through the back to reach and remove stones directly from the kidney.
- Ureteroscopy: During ureteroscopy, a thin scope is guided through the urinary tract to locate stones in the ureter or kidney. Depending on the stone, it may be removed directly or fragmented using laser energy.
- Imaging-Guided Treatment Planning: Ultrasound and CT KUB scans provide information about the stone’s size, number, location, and other urinary tract findings. This information helps the urologist determine which treatment is most suitable.
These techniques can provide effective stone clearance with less tissue disruption than traditional open surgery. Your urologist will discuss the expected benefits, possible risks, recovery period, and follow-up requirements before recommending a procedure.
Kidney Stone Diagnosis
Before treating a kidney stone, your doctor needs to know exactly what’s going on. Since kidney stone symptoms can look a lot like other urinary problems, proper testing is needed to confirm what’s causing them and decide the best treatment. Your urologist will check the size, location, number, and type of stone, and also see how well your kidneys are working and what might have caused the stone in the first place.
To do this, your doctor may suggest the following tests:
- Medical History and Physical Exam: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, any past kidney stones, eating habits, family history, medicines you take, and other health conditions. This helps figure out what might be causing the problem.
- Ultrasound Scan: A simple, safe scan that can show kidney stones, blockages, or swelling in the kidneys. It’s usually the first test done.
- CT KUB Scan (without dye): This is the most reliable scan for spotting kidney stones. It clearly shows the size, location, and number of stones, helping the doctor plan the right treatment.
- Urine Test: Checks for blood, infection, or crystals in the urine, which can hint at the type of stone or if there’s an infection.
- Blood Test: Checks how well your kidneys are working, along with calcium and uric acid levels, and looks for infection or other issues that could be causing stones.
- Stone Analysis: If a stone comes out on its own or is removed during treatment, it’s sent to a lab to find out what it’s made of — this helps prevent future stones.
- 24-Hour Urine Test: Usually done for people who keep getting kidney stones. It checks urine over a full day to spot what’s causing the stones to keep forming.
These tests together help your doctor understand exactly what’s happening, choose the right treatment, and make a plan to stop stones from coming back.
Treatment Process
Your treatment journey is planned carefully to ensure safe and effective care.
- Consultation: Assessment of symptoms, medical history, and imaging reports.
- Diagnostic Evaluation: Blood tests and imaging to confirm the diagnosis.
- Treatment Planning: Selection of the most appropriate treatment based on the stone characteristics.
- Procedure: Minimally invasive surgery or medical treatment, depending on your condition.
- Hospital Stay: Many patients undergoing URS or RIRS can return home the same day or the following day, while PCNL may require a short hospital stay.
- Recovery and Follow-up: Regular reviews ensure proper healing and help reduce the risk of future stones.
What to Expect After Treatment
Most people recover well after kidney stone treatment and can return to their normal routine within a few days. The recovery time depends on the type of treatment you receive and your overall health.
After your treatment, you may notice:
- Mild pain or discomfort for a few days, which usually improves with prescribed medication.
- A small amount of blood in your urine for a day or two, which is generally normal.
- A slight burning sensation while passing urine that settles as you heal.
- The need to drink plenty of water to help flush out any remaining stone fragments.
- A temporary stent may be placed in some cases and removed during a follow-up visit.
- Most patients can return to light activities within 2–5 days, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided until your doctor advises.
- A follow-up visit may be scheduled to check that the stone has been completely removed and your kidneys are healing well.
- Your doctor may recommend simple dietary and lifestyle changes to help prevent kidney stones from coming back.
If you develop severe pain, fever, heavy bleeding, or difficulty passing urine after treatment, contact your urologist immediately.
Recovery and Prevention
Recovery varies depending on the treatment performed, but most patients resume their normal activities within a few days to a few weeks.
To reduce the risk of future kidney stones:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Reduce excess salt intake
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Limit excessive animal protein if advised
- Follow dietary recommendations based on your stone type
- Stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight
- Attend regular follow-up appointments
- Complete any recommended metabolic evaluation for recurrent stones
Long-term prevention involves healthy lifestyle habits, regular monitoring, and following your doctor’s advice to protect kidney health and minimise the chances of stone recurrence.
What Our Patients Say
My father had a kidney stone and suffered a lot of pain. Dr. Griffin explained to us about my father’s condition and did the operation the next day itself. He is fine right now. Thanks to Dr. Griffin.
I had a kidney stone removed by Dr. Griffin. He is truly one of the best surgeons. I’m very thankful for his expert care.
We visited Dr. Griffin for kidney stone removal and also consulted Dr. Annie Flora for skin allergies. Both doctors explained the procedures very well and provided excellent treatment. We are very satisfied and highly recommend the hospital.
Book an Appointment
If kidney stone pain has been disrupting your daily life, don’t wait for it to get worse before seeking help. Book an appointment with Dr. Griffin today to get a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan built around your specific stone, not a generic protocol.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Kidney stones can certainly be painful, but with early diagnosis and prompt treatment, they can be managed effectively. Consulting an experienced Kidney Stone Specialist in Tamil Nadu ensures you get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan designed around your specific condition. Thanks to modern minimally invasive procedures, many patients today experience effective stone removal with less discomfort and a much quicker recovery.
If you’re noticing symptoms of kidney stones, it’s best not to wait — seeking medical advice early can go a long way in protecting your kidney health, relieving pain, and reducing the risk of stones returning in the future.
Read More: Kidney Stone Specialist in India
