About Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy
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Our medical technologies, including Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy (Sacral Neuromodulation), can help make it possible for millions of people to resume everyday activities, return to work, and live better.
What Is It?
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy (Sacral Neuromodulation) is a therapy that targets the communication problem between the brain and the nerves that control the bladder.1 After talking with your doctor to see if Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy is right for you, you may decide to try it by going through an evaluation.
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy (Sacral Neuromodulation) received its CE mark in 1994 for the treatment of chronic intractable functional disorders of the pelvis, lower urinary and intestinal tract. Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy is not intended for patients with a urinary blockage
How It Works
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy works with the sacral nerves, located near the tailbone. The sacral nerves control the bladder and muscles related to urinary function. If the brain and sacral nerves are miscommunicating, the nerves can't tell the bladder to function properly.
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy modulates the sacral nerves with mild electrical pulses. This helps the brain and the nerves to communicate so the bladder and related muscles can function properly.1
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy may help you resume normal activities and help you avoid frustrating or embarrassing experiences associated with overactive bladder.
Test it out
After talking with your doctor to see if Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy is right for you, you and your doctor may decide to test the therapy to see if it works for you. The evaluation generally lasts several days. Before and during the evaluation, you'll be asked to track your symptoms to help determine how well Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy works for you.
Learn more about the evaluation
Benefits and risks
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy may offer several benefits, including freedom from the embarrassment of leaks. It may also help reduce the need to interrupt your sleep due to waking many times during the night to urinate.
Benefits
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy may reduce symptoms for many people who suffer from overactive bladder. This reversible treatment option can be discontinued at any time by turning off or removing the device. Unlike other surgical treatment options for OAB, Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy starts with an evaluation, where you can experience how it feels and see if it will help reduce your symptoms, prior to going forward with the implant procedure.
Risks
Implanting a Neuromodulation System has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.
Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy 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, medication, or reprogramming. These events may also resolve over time. There is a possibility that some may remain unresolved. This therapy is not for everyone. Please consult your doctor.
1
Leng, W. W. & Chancellor, M. B. How sacral nerve stimulation neuromodulation works. Urol. Clin. North Am. 32, 11–8 (2005).
Medical disclaimer
Information contained herein is not medical advice and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. Discuss indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse events and any further information with your health care professional.