Kidney Stents: Recovery Time, Complications, and All You Need to Know

If you’ve ever had a blockage in your urinary system, or know someone who has, you might have heard the term ‘kidney stent’ before. Kidney stents, also called ureteral stents, are thin flexible tubes inserted into ureters to hold them open and allow for the normal flow of urine.

Kidney stents can help treat several conditions and stay in the body for varying lengths of time. If you are curious about how these devices work to treat urinary and kidney conditions, TENA is here to help.

Keep reading to understand why kidney stents are used, how long they stay in the body, the procedure's recovery time, and possible side effects.

Why are Kidney Stents Inserted?

The kidneys filter blood to make urine, which travels to the bladder in a tube called a ‘ureter’. Kidney stents are inserted to prevent your ureters from becoming blocked and your urine flow being disrupted if you’re suffering from kidney stones or if cancer blocks one or both ureters. Without a kidney stent, urine cannot flow from the kidney, and this causes damage and infection – both of which can be very serious.

Kidney stents are versatile and can provide relief from several conditions and blockages in your urinary system. Kidney stent surgery may be recommended for:

Kidney stone blockages
Endometriosis
Tumours
Blood clots
IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)

The most common use for stents is for kidney stones in males and females, where the stent will ensure that whole stones, or pieces of broken-up stones, do not block your ureters. Though they can offer relief from these conditions, most kidney stents are temporary and will be removed after around 6 weeks.

Kidney Stent Complication Symptoms

While recovering from surgery, most people are likely to experience some mild side effects. Having some blood in your urine or discomfort while urinating is common, and experienced by almost everyone who undergoes kidney stent surgery. While the stent remains in your body, observing blood in the urine can happen at any time.

Other kidney stent complication symptoms include:

Urinating more often
Urinary
Pain in the tip of the penis (for men)
Increased likelihood of UTIs

Signs of Ureteral Stent Infections

After your kidney stent is inserted, bacteria can latch onto the surface of the tube, increasing the likelihood of UTIs and ureteral stent infections. Symptoms of kidney stent infections and UTIs include:

Fever
Pain around the lower back, or sides of the lower back
Pain below the belly button
Pain or a burning sensation during urination
A general feeling of unwellness

If you believe you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a kidney stent infection, visit your doctor immediately. Antibiotics are often needed to cure these infections and rid your body of the harmful bacteria that causes them.

Signs of the Body Rejecting Kidney Stents

Though kidney stent surgery is a simple procedure, suitable for most people, there is a small chance of your body rejecting a kidney stent. As with any foreign object surgically inserted into the body, kidney stents can be rejected, and this is mainly due to metal components and trace amounts of metal found in stents.

If you have a pre-existing sensitivity to metal or are worried about your body rejecting a kidney stent, speak to your doctor about the procedure and possible alternatives.

Kidney Stent Removal

Kidney stents are not permanent fixtures and need to be removed or replaced at least every 3 months. This means that kidney stent removal is a common procedure and something that every person who is fitted with a kidney stent will experience.

The kidney stent removal procedure is simple and similar to the method of insertion. Once again, the cystoscope is inserted into the urethra after the area has been numbed. A string, or tool called a scope is threaded through the cystoscope and used to clasp the end of the kidney stent, which is then gently pulled out and removed.

Kidney stent removal is simple, and most patients will be able to go home the same day, with the procedure only taking a matter of minutes.

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

While living with a kidney stent, or after its removal, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. Trying to drink at least 2 litres of water a day is more important than ever when living with a kidney stent, as it assists kidney and bladder function and can reduce the volume of blood in your urine. You may also wish to take over-the-counter painkillers or take warm baths to ease any discomfort.

Try and limit strenuous physical activity for a while after your stent is fitted as it may lead to pain around the kidneys and more blood in your urine. Other elements of your lifestyle should not be impacted by kidney stents, but some people report discomfort during sexual activity.

Conclusion

Blockages in your urinary system can be both uncomfortable and dangerous, and kidney stents offer a simple and safe form of relief. If you are suffering from kidney stones, a tumour blockage, or blood clot blockages, there is a good chance that your doctor will recommend kidney stent surgery to help ease your discomfort and pain.

For more information on urinary procedures and , TENA is here to help. Browse our range of articles here or explore our range of men's and women’s products designed to help you live comfortably and confidently with incontinence.