InterStim Therapy (also called “sacral nerve stimulation”) is used to treat people with two seemingly opposite problems. The first is non-obstructive urinary retention (poor emptying in the absence of blockage of the urinary tract as may occur with prostate enlargement, prior bladder surgery, etc.). Additionally, it is used to treat patients with severe symptoms of overactive bladder (urinary urge incontinence and significant symptoms of urgency-frequency) in individuals who have failed prior behavioral therapies and treatment with multiple medications.
The therapy uses a small, implanted medical device to send mild electrical pulses to a nerve located just above the tailbone. This nerve, called the sacral nerve, controls the bladder and surrounding muscles that manage urinary function. The electrical stimulation may eliminate or reduce bladder control symptoms in some people as well as helping those unable to urinate do so. A physician’s examination and evaluation can determine whether you are a candidate for InterStim Therapy.
InterStim Therapy does not treat symptoms of stress incontinence. InterStim Therapy has not been studied in pregnant patients or children/adolescents. It cannot be used in patients with neurologic causes of their urinary issues such as multiple sclerosis, stroke or spinal cord injury. It is not intended for patients with mechanical obstructions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy, cancer or urethral strictures.”