Last Updated on March 24, 2025 by tanya

What You Need to Know If Kidney Stones Are Missed

 

Clinical Negligence Claims for Compensation

 

Kidney stones are regarded as extremely painful, so here’s what you need to know if kidney stones are missed by a medical professional. A kidney stone is generally very small but causes a huge amount of pain. However, kidney stones may be misdiagnosed as having a urinary tract infection, or even a strained muscle in your back.

Additionally, if kidney stones are missed, this can lead to serious complications and further damage to your kidneys. Symptoms indicating kidney stones can include vomiting, blood in your urine and severe pain in your lower back or abdomen.

If you have suffered misdiagnosis for kidney stones, First Personal Injury can help you regarding making a clinical negligence claim for compensation. We also partner with highly experienced lawyers who work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis who can assess your case.

 

What Happens If Kidney Stones Are Left Untreated?

If you are suffering from kidney stones which are not diagnosed and left untreated, potential complications may include:

 

Severe Pain That Won’t Quit – Kidney stones can cause excruciating pain, which can get worse if they are not treated.

 

Infections and Sepsis – A blocked kidney can lead to infections. If an infection spreads to the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis. This a life-threatening condition that needs urgent medical treatment.

 

Kidney Damage or Failure – If a stone is large enough and remains untreated for too long, it can cause long-term damage to the kidney. In extreme cases, it may even lead to kidney failure, meaning you might need dialysis or even a transplant.

 

Hydronephrosis – This is when urine backs up into the kidney, causing swelling. It’s painful, and if not treated quickly, it can cause permanent kidney damage.

 

Other Conditions That May Mimic Kidney Stones

 

Kidney stones aren’t the only condition that can cause severe pain in the abdomen or lower back. Here are five other health issues that may present with similar symptoms:

 

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – Both kidney stones and UTIs can cause pain during urination, frequent urination, and even blood in the urine.

 

Appendicitis – Pain from appendicitis can start as a dull ache around the belly button before moving to the lower right side of the abdomen, as well as nausea and vomiting.

 

Diverticulitis – This condition involves inflammation occurring in the digestive tract. It can cause severe lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.

 

Herniated Disc – A slipped or herniated disc in the lower spine can cause intense back pain that may be mistaken for kidney stones. However, this pain is usually accompanied by numbness or tingling in the legs, which isn’t common with kidney stones.

 

Gallstones – These form in the gallbladder. They can cause sharp, cramping pain in the right side of the abdomen, often after eating fatty foods.

 

Filing a Clinical Negligence Claim for a Missed Diagnosis

 

If you’ve suffered complications because a doctor misdiagnosed or missed your kidney stones, you might have a case for medical negligence. The medical profession has a duty of care and if this is breached, you may be entitled to compensation.

You will have to be able to show that the failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis led to avoidable complications or prolonged suffering. You should gather all your medical records and expert medical opinion to support your case.

 

A ‘No Win, No Fee ‘ Claim for Compensation

 

If you or a loved one have suffered from kidney stones being missed or misdiagnosed through no fault of your own and are considering making a claim, contact First Personal Injury. We can guide you through the process to get the compensation you deserve. We work with experienced lawyers who work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online for a free consultation.