Step 2: Long-term InterStim Therapy
If you experience a significant reduction in your bladder control symptoms during the evaluation, you and your doctor can discuss long-term InterStim Therapy. InterStim Therapy is an FDA-approved treatment that has been shown to be safe and effective for men and women who have not had success with other treatments.
For long-term InterStim Therapy, the neurostimulator is placed under the skin of your upper buttock, above where you sit and below your waistline. The lead (thin wire) goes from the neurostimulator to a sacral nerve, located near the tailbone.
How Is Long-term InterStim Therapy (step 2) Different from the Evaluation (step 1)?
During the evaluation, you wear a temporary, external neurostimulator on your waistband. In long-term InterStim Therapy, the long-term neurostimulator is placed under your skin during a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, so the neurostimulator is internal rather than outside your body. You control the neurostimulator with a hand-held programmer that works like a remote control to turn the stimulation up and down or on and off.
DR. STEVEN SIEGEL
Urologist, Woodbury, Minn.
"If the trial is successful and you do have a major change in your symptoms, then you have the option of going forward and having this converted into a long-term solution for the problem."
How Effective Is InterStim Therapy?
InterStim Therapy can eliminate or greatly reduce bladder control symptoms for people suffering from overactive bladder or urinary retention problems.1
In a long-term clinical study, it was found that 59% of patients with urge incontinence who received InterStim Therapy and completed follow-up with their doctors, had at least 50% fewer leaks per day when compared to the number of leaks before therapy.1
It is important to know that individual results may vary and that not every patient who receives InterStim Therapy will receive the same benefits or experience the same adverse events as the patients in the clinical study.
What Are the Risks of InterStim Therapy?
Implanting an InterStim Therapy system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.
Neurostimulation might cause you to experience some of these side effects:
- Pain at the implant site or new pain
- Infection or skin irritation
- Lead (thin wire) movement/migration
- Device problems
- Interactions with certain other devices or diagnostic equipment
- Undesirable changes in urinary or bowel function
- Uncomfortable stimulation (sometimes described as a jolting or shocking feeling)
Problems may be resolved with surgery, medical therapy such as drugs, or reprogramming. These events may also resolve over time. There is a possibility that some may remain unresolved. (See Important Safety Information for additional information.) Please consult your doctor. This therapy is not for everyone. A prescription is required.
What Support Is Available for Long-term InterStim Therapy?
Your doctor will be your primary source for support and information. In addition, for support before and after the long-term therapy procedure, Medtronic offers a website specifically for people going on to and receiving long-term InterStim Therapy. Once you have a procedure date, you can register for access to the site to find helpful resources and information.
Already have your long-term therapy procedure date? Register now
References
- Medtronic-sponsored research. InterStim Therapy Clinical Summary 2011.
Next: Answers to Common Questions
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InterStim Therapy
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