How NUROTM PTNM
therapy works

For bladder control

If you’re ready to try an advanced treatment for bladder control and want to start with a nonsurgical option, neuromodulation with the NURO™ device may be an option.

Physicin and patient

Regain bladder control in a few weeks

Therapy delivered by the NURO™ system targets the miscommunication that occurs between the brain and bladder2-4. Here are some facts about the device: 

  • Does not require surgery
  • Used to treat the symptoms of overactive bladder 
  • Delivered during 30-minute sessions once per week for 12 weeks
  • May require follow-up visits for therapeutic maintenance
  • Does not cause unpleasant side effects like oral medications can1

The most common side effects of percutaneous tibial neuromodulation (PTNM) are temporary and include mild pain or skin inflammation at or near the stimulation site. 

How the NURO™ PTNM system works 

Treatment with the NURO™ system involves a series of 30-minute office appointments:

  1. Your provider will gently place shallow acupuncture-like needle near the tibial nerve near the ankle.
  2. Mild electrical pulses from the device are sent through the needle, targeting the nerve to help you regain control of your bladder. It doesn’t hurt, but you may feel tingling.
  3. The doctor removes the needle before you leave.

Evidence suggests that bladder control problems may be caused by miscommunication between the bladder and the brain.2-4 The tibial nerve connects to nerves responsible for bladder function. Download the PTNM therapy guide to learn more.

NURO system device

Clinical evidence for PTNM therapy

For bladder control

Clinical studies show that Medtronic bladder control therapy by the NURO™ system is an effective treatment for people with overactive bladder (OAB).5,6 Highlights from these studies include the following results:

  • Nearly 4 out of 5 patients saw their urinary urge incontinence episodes cut in half after 12 weeks.*5
  • Approximately 70% reduction in episodes of incontinence per day after completing the first 12 weekly sessions.5
  • 40% of OAB patients became fully continent.5
  • Significant improvement in health-related quality of life†,5-7
  • Improvements trended as patients completed more sessions and they had the best results when finishing all 12 sessions.7
Man hugs grandchild

What if NURO™ PTNM therapy doesn’t work for me?

If the therapy doesn’t work how you hoped, speak to your doctor about the InterStim™ neuromodulation system.

Contact us

Have more questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Patient services specialist:
(800) 510-6735

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Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

*

Evaluated using the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) scale. 

Evaluated using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Quality of Life Questionnaire (OAB-q).

1

Visco A, Brubaker L, Richter HE et al. Anticholinergic therapy vs. onabotulinumtoxinA for urgency urinary incontinence. New Engl J Med. 2012;367(19):1803–1813.

2

Dasgupta R, Critchley HD, Dolan RJ, Fowler CJ. Changes in brain activity following sacral neuromodulation for urinary retention. J Urol. 2005;174:2268–2272.

3

Griffiths D, Derbyshire S, Stenger A, Resnick N. Brain control of normal and overactive bladder. J Urol. 2005;174:1862–1867.

4

Griffiths D, Tadic SD. Bladder control, urgency, and urge incontinence: evidence from functional brain imaging. Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27(6):466–474.

5

Kobashi K, Nitti V, Margolis E, et al. A prospective study to evaluate efficacy using the NURO percutaneous tibial neuromodulation system in drug-naïve patients with overactive bladder syndrome. J Urol. 2019;131:77–82.

6

Kobashi K, Margolis E, Sand P, et al. Prospective study to evaluate quality of life with percutaneous tibial neuromodulation in drug-naïve patients with overactive bladder syndrome. Presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society.

7

Kobashi K, Sand P, Margolis E, et al. Increasing therapy effect over twelve weeks with the NURO™ percutaneous tibial neuromodulation system in drug naïve patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Presented at the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction 2019 Winter Meeting. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 2019;38(S1), S79.