Hello, I recently passed a kidney stone and a CT scan indicates more stones are in my kidney. One option is to undergo Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL). The stones are in my left kidney and I have a twelve year old cementless total left hip replacement.

These mechanical pulses are strong enough to break the stones apart, so will they shake a hip prosthesis and possibly contribute to loosening?

Bruising is common which indicates the energy level of the pulses must be intense. I fear that the shock waves may contribute to premature failure of the prosthesis. Please share any opinions regarding the risk involved.

-- W.C. Ross (charleytuna@fiac.net), February 26, 2004