About Sacral Neuromodulation

If you’ve tried other treatments for your urinary retention without success, you may want to consider a trial assessment of sacral neuromodulation with the InterStim™ Therapy. Sacral Neuromodulation, also called sacral nerve stimulation has been available since 1994 and has been used to treat more than 65,000 people around the world.

What Is It?

The InterStim neurostimulator is a tiny device that is inserted under your skin, usually above your buttocks. It sends mild electrical pulses to the nerves in your back that control the muscles in your bowel, rectum and bladder. The neurostimulator works by stimulating your sacral nerves, helping you regain control of your bladder function. If you have bowel problems as well as your urinary retention, these can be treated at the same time

To help discover if InterStim Therapy is right for you, Medtronic has created a trial assessment programme. You and your doctor can try it without making a big commitment.

The trial assessment of InterStim Therapy involves placing a thin wire under the skin in your lower back. The wire is connected to a small external test stimulator, which you wear on a belt. The test stimulator sends mild electrical pulses through the thin wire to your sacral nerves to check if those pulses can get your bladder working the way it should. During the trial assessment, which typically lasts several days, you can continue many of your daily activities with caution.
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The InterStim neurostimulator is implanted under your skin and sends mild electrical impulses to your sacral nerves. The neurostimulator contains a battery and electronics to create these impulses.

Benefits and Risks

Sacral nerve stimulation may offer several benefits. These include freedom from having to be catheterized and better control over urination.

Side effects may include pain, skin irritation, infection, device problems, and movement of the electrodes. In most cases, these problems can be solved.
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• About Sacral Neuromodulation
• What Is It?
• Benefits and Risks

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