Millions of people of all ages suffer from urinary urge incontinence, nonobstructive urinary retention, or significant symptoms of urgency-frequency. Patients that have not been satisfied with more conservative treatments or are wary of irreversible surgery options, now have an alternative. 

Medtronic has developed InterStim Therapy that helps control urinary problems through an implanted device that sends mild electrical impulses via a lead to the sacral nerves that control the bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles. InterStim is often referred to as a pacemaker for the bladder.

InterStim is indicated for the treatment of urinary retention and symptoms of overactive bladder, including urge incontinence and significant symptoms of urgency-frequency, alone or in combination in patients who have failed or could not tolerate more conservative treatments. However, the treatment is not indicated for patients with mechanical obstruction. 

One major benefit for patients is that the procedure is reversible and may be discontinued at any time; it also does not preclude the use of complementary or future therapeutic options.

Treatment with InterStim Therapy involves three steps:

• test simulation
• surgical implant
• post-implant follow-up

Read more about this procedure.