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What is neurostimulation?
Bladder function is regulated by a group of nerves at the base of the spine called the sacral nerve plexus. By stimulating these nerves through gentle electrical impulses
(neurostimulation), your bladder activity can be changed. One way to stimulate these nerves is with PTNS, an office-based, minimally-invasive treatment for urinary urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence
PTNS(Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation)
Neuromodulation System
Treats urinary urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence.
- Office-based treatment
- Highly effective: Multiple studies show patient response of 60 - 80%.
- Provides significant reductions in the frequency of
bathroom visits and in wetting accidents.
- May be successful even when other therapies have failed2
- May be used alone or in combination with other therapies, depending on your response to PTNS and your physician¡¯s discretion
What can I expect from treatment with PTNS?
A small, slim needle electrode is temporarily inserted near your ankle. The needle electrode is then connected to the battery-powered stimulator.
After turning on the stimulator, your physician will observe your body¡¯s response to determine the ideal strength of the impulses. Each of your treatments will last approximately 30 minutes.
You will receive an initial series of 12 treatments, typically scheduled a week apart. After the initial 12 treatments, your physician will discuss your response to the treatments and determine how often you will need future treatments to maintain your results.
What will I feel with PTNS therapy?
Because patients may experience the sensation of the PTNS treatment in different ways, it¡¯s difficult to say what the treatment would feel like to you. However, treatment with PTNS is typically well-tolerated by patients. PTNS offers many different levels of stimulation, so your healthcare professional will be able to adjust treatment to suit you as well as address any discomfort that you might experience during treatment.
How soon will I see results?
Because PTNS gently modifies the signals to achieve bladder control, it will probably take at least 6 treatments for you to see your symptoms change.
A majority of individuals using this type of neuromodulation experience significant improvement
in their bladder control symptoms. It is important that you continue receiving treatments for the recommended 12 treatments before you and your physician evaluate whether this therapy is an appropriate treatment for your symptoms.
What treatment options are most often prescribed?
- Behavior modification, such as monitoring fluid intake
- Pelvic muscle strengthening, such as Kegel exercises or biofeedback
- Drug therapy, using prescriptions to relax bladder activity
- Neurostimulation, stimulating nerves that control your bladder
Do you have any of these symptoms?
If you answer ¡°yes¡± to any of the following, you may be a candidate for PTNS therapy:
- Do you urinate more than 8 times during the day?
- Do you urinate more than twice during the night?
- Are you bothered by the number of times you urinate?
- Do you often have an overwhelming urge to urinate, an urge that is difficult to ignore?
- Have you had wetting accidents because you are unable to control the urge to urinate and are unable to
get to the restroom in time?
What causes these symptoms?
Specific nerves and the muscles surrounding your
bladder regulate bladder function. These symptoms
may be caused by any disruption to this regulation,
which may include:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Pelvic surgery
- Medication
- Natural aging process
- Chronic disease
- Trauma
- Obesity
How are bladder control problems evaluated?
To make a diagnosis, your physician may take your
medical history, test your bladder function, and ask you to
complete a voiding diary. In a voiding diary you will record
your symptoms of urgency and frequency and any urge
incontinence episodes.
What do patients treated with PTNS
say about their experience?
In control of restroom trips
¡°As a teacher, I couldn¡¯t just leave the classroom when I
had an urge. For me, the biggest change since starting
this therapy is that I¡¯m in control of my restroom trips and I
no longer void before I make it to the restroom.¡± - Elaine*
Now well-rested
¡°PTNS therapy has been a miracle for me. My nighttime
urges have been dramatically reduced and I¡¯m now
well-rested. I am free from the constant worry about
accidents.¡± - Iradine*
Able to finish errands
¡°PTNS has made a tremendous difference on my life.
Before I couldn¡¯t even finish running my errands during
the day. I still, out of habit, look for the bathrooms and
where they are. But I know I don¡¯t need them.¡± - Sylvia*
Forget to carry pads
¡°Prior to my introduction to this therapy, I needed to carry
pads with me so that I would not have accidents. With
this therapy I pretty much forget that I have to carry pads
with me. I¡¯ve been able to take up a pretty regular lifestyle
and not have to worry about leaking or an embarrassing
situation.¡± - Joan*
Does your
Bladder Control
your life?
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Treatment with PTNS
is contraindicated for patients with pacemakers
or implantable defibrillators, patients prone to
excessive bleeding, patients with nerve damage
that could impact either percutaneous tibial
nerve or pelvic floor function, or patients
who are pregnant or planning to become
pregnant during the duration of the
treatment.
PRECAUTIONS:
Exercise caution for
patients with heart problems related
to pacing. Most common side effects
include transient mild pain
or skin inflammation at or near the
stimulation site.
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