Renal & UrologyPending review

Renal Colic (Urolithiasis)

Sudden ureteric obstruction by a stone that raises pressure upstream and triggers smooth muscle spasm, producing pain whose exact location tracks the stone's position as it migrates towards the bladder.

In a nutshell

Urinary supersaturation forms stones; colic begins when a stone obstructs the ureter, raising pressure on the pain-sensitive renal capsule and triggering peristaltic spasm. Pain migrates loin to groin as the stone descends. Most stones pass with analgesia, but an infected obstructed kidney is a surgical emergency needing urgent decompression.

Classic presentation

Sudden severe loin-to-groin colicky pain with the patient writhing and unable to get comfortable, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and haematuria.

Key points

The pain is visceral (capsular stretch plus ureteric spasm), which is why patients cannot lie still, unlike the stillness of peritonitis.

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Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.