Bladder Control Therapy Delivered By The Interstim System
Q: What is Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim system?Q: How does it work?Q: Why does it treat the sacral nerves?Q: What are the benefits of this therapy?A:Q: What are the potential side effects or complications?Q: Why is this therapy different from other options?Q: How long does the relief last?Q: Will this therapy cure my condition?Q: What does the stimulation feel like?Q: Can I get an MRI when I receive this therapy?Q: Will insurance cover the costs?Q: How long has this therapy been around?Q: Are you somebody who would benefit from InterStim therapy?
What Are The Differences Between Axonics Interstim Ii And Interstim Micro
InterStim II
- About the size of a silver dollar, 44mm x 51 mm
- Doesnt require recharging
- Needs to be replaced about every five years
InterStim Micro
- Smallest SNM device available, 17 mm x 47 mm
- Requires charging for 20 minutes, once a week
- Needs to be replaced about every 15 years
Axonics Therapy
- About the size of a quarter, 23 mm x 45 mm
- Requires wireless charging for about an hour, once a month
- Needs to be replaced about every 15 years
Permanent Placement Of The Interstim Device
Implantation of the InterStim device is performed in an operating room. The doctor will advise the patient which type of anesthesia will be used pain medication with a sedative or general anesthesia. During the operation, two incisions will be made in the buttocks. The device will then be placed under the skin. The incision for the neurostimulator will be about 2 inches long a second incision will be about ½ inch or less.
If a temporary lead was used for the test stimulation:
- The lead will be removed.
- A long-term lead and neurostimulator will be implanted in the upper buttock or abdomen.
If a long-term lead was used for the test stimulation:
- The long-term lead will remain in place.
- The external wire used for test stimulation will be removed.
- A neurostimulator will be connected to the long-term lead and placed under the skin in the upper buttock or abdomen.
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How Is An Interstim Device Implanted
InterStim placement is quickly and safely done at an outpatient surgery center. The procedure itself typically takes between 20-30 minutes to complete, and surgery is minimally invasive. This can often be done under local anesthesia, though some doctors will prefer to use general anesthesia. The device is inserted in the lower back, above the buttocks.
Though insurance plans vary, Medicare and private insurance generally cover InterStim treatment, but please consult with your doctor and insurance company.
Risks Of Interstim Therapy
As with any minimally invasive procedure, patients have a chance of infection, swelling, bruising and bleeding. Pain medication will be prescribed to help with pain and discomfort.
Patients with an InterStim Therapy device will not be able to have an MRI or be subjected to other kinds of diagnostic equipment. If a patient becomes pregnant or is trying to become pregnant, the doctor will need to shut off the device.
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The Process For Getting An Implant
The InterStim system consists of a neurostimulator and an electrode both of which are implanted in the lower back with small incisions and a wireless remote control. The neurostimulator sends the signals to the electrode, and the electrode stimulates the sacral nerves. The external wireless device allows you to adjust the signal level and turn the system on and off.
Youll be placed under anesthesia for your procedure, which is performed on an outpatient basis and typically takes about an hour. Unlike other surgical treatments, you can take InterStim for a test run to see if its right for you before making a long-term commitment. The initial evaluation period spans 3-14 days, in which time you can go about your normal routine and track your symptoms to see if there are noticeable improvements in your urge, control and frequency.
Urologists Located In Charlottesville Va
Losing control of the contents of your bladder is an embarrassing problem that may keep you from doing the things you enjoy. The experienced team at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, specializes in helping people with urinary incontinence get their lives back. The urologists offer many treatments for bladder issues, including InterStim® therapy, which is a treatment for overactive bladder. To learn more about InterStim therapy and how it may help you, call the office today or book an appointment online.
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Are You A Candidate For Sacral Nerve Stimulation
The InterStim® device is inserted in the body through a minimally-invasive procedure conducted under anesthesia.
Signs you may be a perfect candidate for sacral nerve stimulation through InterStim® include:
- You have an overactive bladder.
- You have urge incontinence.
- Other treatments have not worked for you.
- You do not have an obstruction .
Before receiving the InterStim® system as a long-term treatment for incontinence, you will be tested during an evaluation, which will reveal if you will benefit from the system. You may also be asked to try medication and therapy before being considered as a candidate for InterStim®. Get started by scheduling an appointment with Urology Care of Central Florida.
Patients Who Are Not Candidates For Sns Therapy
InterStim Therapy is not intended to treat or be used by:
- Stress incontinence People with stress incontinence lose urine when they exercise, sneeze, cough, or laugh.
- Mechanical obstructions Enlarged prostate , cancer or narrowing of the urethra .
- Patients with pacemakers.
- Patients with neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.
- Patients under 16 years of age.
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What Are The Risks Of Interstim Therapy
As with any minimally invasive procedure, there may be risks, which could include:
- Continued bladder control problems
The good news is that if, for any reason, the InterStim Therapy device can be shut off or completely removed. It is essential to share all health concerns and intentions with your doctor to determine if the device needs to be turned off. For example, if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, the InterStim device would need to be shut off.
For even more information, visit:
InterStim Therapy for bladder control problems is not suitable for everyone. There are many alternate options to help manage OAB, urge incontinence, bowel or fecal incontinence, or any other symptom you are experiencing. Personally Delivered carries a wide variety of incontinence products to help with bladder and bowel control. If you need assistance choosing what incontinence products are right for your unique needs, our friendly and knowledgeable Product Experts are here to guide you through the purchasing experience. Give us a call today. Youll be happy you did!
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy Delivered By The Interstimtm System
Evidence suggests that breakdowns in the bladder-brain communication pathway may be a root cause of OAB and non-obstructive urinary retention.1,2,3 Thats why conventional treatments may not produce the results you want they dont directly target this miscommunication. Unlike conventional treatments, the Medtronic InterStim systems gently stimulate the sacral nerves in the pelvic area that control the bladder.4,5 This may help restore* bladder-brain communication and reduce symptoms.
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What Bladder Control Problems Are Treatable
InterStim therapy has been shown to help patients alleviate symptoms associated with the following bladder control issues:
- Urge Incontinence: Causes a sudden urge to urinate. Urge incontinence is also referred to as an overactive bladder and may occur due to a bladder infection, bladder cancer, nervous system diseases, and other health conditions.
- Urinary Retention: Makes it difficult for an individual to empty the bladder. A person who is dealing with urinary retention may be unable to start urinating. Or, a person who is suffering from urinary retention may begin urinating but is unable to fully empty his or her bladder.
- Frequent Urination/Frequent Urge to Urinate: Occurs when a person passes only small amounts of urine, urinates frequently, and/or cannot fully empty his or her bladder.
Complications Of Interstim Therapy
Although the InterStim procedure is considered safe and effective, as with all medical procedures, there is a risk of complications. While relatively rare, some patients may experience the following at the site of the implant:
While typically these side effects dissipate over a short time, if severe, they can be relieved by removing the device.
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What To Expect During The Procedure
Implanting the InterStim neurostimulator is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Your board-certified urologist will make a small incision about your buttock to insert the lead near your sacral nerves. The other end of the lead will be connected to the neurostimulator. You will be able to control the neurostimulator with an external device that can adjust the stimulation or turn the device off.
Melissa Got Her Life Back With Axonics Therapy
Axonics Therapy is a clinically proven treatment that can help put you back in control of not just your bladder and bowel, but your life. Itâs not a drug – itâs an advanced therapy that can provide lasting relief. If youâre ready to get your life back, itâs time to find real relief with Axonics Therapy.
Take the first step today by taking a quick survey to find an expert physician in your area who can discuss whether Axonics Therapy is right for you.
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How Do I Know If I Am A Candidate For The Interstim Bladder Control System
Dr. Robert Pugach advises his bladder control patients that there is no single bladder control treatment that works for everyone. Our philosophy at Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center is to always start with the least invasive therapy possible. With our years of experience treating bladder control problems, we know that, while medications and other non-invasive treatments are helpful for many patients, some do not respond. Thats why we offer remarkable, state-of-the-art procedures like InterStim® that can restore bladder control when other options have failed.
If you are a candidate for InterStim® we perform a 30 minute test in our office to see if it will help you. The testing is called an evaluation or a trial assessment. If you have a positive result, as most patients do, you can then proceed to have the actual InterStim® battery placed under your skin. Batteries typically last 5 to 6 years and can be replaced with a simple, 10 minute procedure.
Stimulate Relief With Dr Paul Jo
If parts of your body are struggling to do their job, theyâre in need of a boost. The InterStim® system can give your urinary system that boost.
Dr. Paul Jo is experienced in treating incontinence and implementing the InterStim® system in patients. Dr. Jo has decades of experience researching and successfully treating urinary issues. Dr. Jo will analyze your condition and symptoms, determine the cause of your incontinence if not already known, and work with you to create a plan for success.
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What Are The Symptoms Of An Overactive Bladder
If youre struggling with any of the following, you may be living with an overactive bladder:
- Always looking for a restroom
- Having to go too often during the day
- Waking yourself up multiple times a night to go
- Getting sudden or strong urges to go on a regular basis
- Struggling with embarrassing leaks or accidents
If these sound familiar to you, dont wait to find relief. Schedule an appointment to be evaluated by one of the urologists at Urological Associates.
Side Effects And Complications Of Interstim Implantation
When discussing the risks of the Interstim for treatment of OAB symptoms, it is important to keep in mind that every medical therapy is associated with side effects. In this respect, the percentage of patients who experienced adverse effects with Interstim was 30.5% versus 27.3% of patients on medical therapy alone.
Rare complications of the procedure include undesirable stimulation resulting in small shock sensations and changes in bowel function. The electrical signal strength may need some fine-tuning in these cases, which will require a follow-up visit. Until the site has healed properly, you will be advised to take it easy and may need to limit your physical activity. But, the idea is that you can return to a better quality of life after everything heals. In fact, a study published in 2014 concluded that not just the physical symptoms, but other psychological factors, also improved after using Interstim. The women interviewed in the study were less depressed and their perception of body image had improved dramatically.
In general surgical risks include:
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A Team Approach To Careinterstim For Urinary Incontinence
The InterStim Therapy system is essentially a small electrical device that stimulates the sacral nerves in the lower back that control bladder function. The device is implanted just above the tailbone where it can send very mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves, using an external stimulation device and allowing the patient gain control over their need to urinate. The InterStim can provide the following benefits:
- Reducing or eliminating the need for catheters
- Limiting urgency-frequency episodes
- Alleviating sensations of suddenly needing to urinate
- Improving nerve communication between the bladder and brain
Why Are Medtronic Therapies Different
COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL
Evidence suggests that breakdowns in the bladder-brain communication pathway are a root cause of OAB and non-obstructive urinary retention.1-3 While more conservative therapies focus on the bladder muscles, Medtronic therapies target the nerves that control the bladder muscles, which are thought to help restore normal bladder function.*
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What To Expect After The Device Is Implanted
Most patients will notice a slight pulling or tingling sensation, according to Medtronic, which manufactures the InterStim devices. These sensations should not be painful if they are, contact your doctor. Sudden movement can also cause a change in how the stimulation feels, because the device shifted in proximity to your sacral nerve. This doesnt affect the effectiveness of the stimulation has changed. After a few weeks, patients typically report they dont notice the sensation anymore.
The goal is for InterStim therapy to help patients return to their daily routines without worrying about bowel or urinary incontinence. A successful procedure should help patients be more confident of their ability to go through life, taking long walks, traveling or visiting a movie theater. Things that were difficult become possible, once patients are no longer worried about incontinence.
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Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy Delivered By The Nuro System
Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the NURO system helps you live with less worry and more condence. By restoring bladder function, it puts you on a path to fewer trips to the bathroom, and more of the activities you enjoy.,9
- Targets the tibial nerve to help you regain control of your bladder
- Does not cause unpleasant side eects like many oral medications can10
- Does not require self-catheterization, unlike injectable medications8
- Helps you live with less worry and more condence
The NURO system only treats the symptoms of OAB, not retention.
Most common side eects of PTNM are temporary and include mild pain or skin inammation at or near the stimulation site.
Recommended Reading: Why Is My Bladder Inflamed
Tell Me More The Benefits Of Interstim
InterStim⢠is an implanted system that sends mild electrical pulses to assist the communication between the bladder and the brain.
You can think of the InterStim⢠implant as a type of âpacemakerâ for the bladder. This implant is considered to be a neurostimulatorâit stimulates the sacral nerves as it sends signals to them.
Treatment is minimally invasive, side effects are rare, and relief is REAL.
- Reduce your sudden urge to go
- Finally empty your bladder
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“Dr. Jo combines evident clinical skill with tremendous warmth and compassion. He is precisely what one wishes to find in a doctor’s treatment of patients: experience, expertise, and genuine concern for the individual in front of him.”
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“Dr. Jo is the most caring , competent, and reassuring doctor of urology I have found in Florida since my retirement. I pray God gives him many years for his work, and many more for his personal enjoyment. Excellent Christian doctor.”
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“I felt very comfortable and respected during my cystoscopy. Dr. Jo has a caring way about him and I trust him.”
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“Dr. Jo prepared me mentally & medically, prayed with me, visited me, then performed the prostatectomy surgery. I admire, respect, and have the greatest confidence in Dr. Jo and love the spiritual atmosphere in his office.”
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How Do I Know If Interstim Therapy Is Right For Me
Your health care provider can help make this decision and may recommend that you try InterStim Therapy temporarily to see if it helps your symptoms. This is called test stimulation. Interstim is only offered to patients who have tried medications and behavioral changes andhave not responded well or cant tolerate these treatments.
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Bladder Pacemaker Restores Urinary Control
MEDIA CONTACTS: Ruthann Richter at Stanford, 723-6911, or Diana Marszalek at UCSF, 476-2557
EDITORS, REPORTERS PLEASE NOTE: A diagram with caption is attached.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLADDER PACEMAKER RESTORES URINARY CONTROL
Just as a cardiac pacemaker helps maintain a steady heartbeat, a new bladder pacemaker helps men and women with debilitating bladder problems regain control of this vital function, according to UCSF Stanford Health Care physicians, who pioneered the technology.
The implantable bladder pacemaker delivers a painless electrical stimulus to the nerve fibers that regulate the muscle of the bladder. This enables patients to control urine storage and release, said Dr. Emil Tanagho, a UCSF professor of urology whose early work with paraplegics and quadriplegics led to the development of the device.
He and Dr. Rodney Anderson, a Stanford professor of urology, are among the three physicians in California and the only two in Northern California who are currently implanting the device. The Food and Drug Administration approved the device in September 1997.
Tanagho said the new pacemaker may benefit patients suffering from urge incontinence, the inability to control the strong, sudden urge to urinate. It could also help people with severe bladder problems associated with multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, interstitial cystitis or pelvic pain produced by overactive pelvic muscles, he said.
Implanted under skin