InterStim for Bladder Control in Oxford, MS
Medtronic InterStim® Center of Excellence
Oxford Urology Associates is extremely proud to announce that Dr. Land Renfroe’s Medtronic InterStim program has been officially designated as an InterStim Center of Excellence (COE). The COE recognizes physicians who demonstrate exemplary use of the InterStim System and a commitment to patient care for those suffering from symptoms associated with Overactive Bladder, Fecal Incontinence and Non-Obstructive Urinary Retention.
The Medtronic COE program is designed to help patients find experienced physicians who show exemplary care with the InterStim system while also recognizing physicians for their exemplary care.
InterStim® – Treatment
for Over-active Bladder
Bladder control problems affect millions of Americans. If you’re one of them, you know how these conditions, like over-active bladder (OAB), fecal incontinence (involuntary loss of stool), and urinary retention can interrupt your life.
You may have tried changing your diet. Or Kegal exercises and physical therapy. Or medications with unpleasant side effects. But the results just aren’t what you hoped.
Communication between your brain and bladder is critical. That’s why conventional treatments may not produce the results you want- they don’t target the miscommunication between your bladder and brain.
Unlike conventional treatments, Medtronic Bladder and Bowel Control Therapies delivered by the InterStim system uses gentle nerve stimulation to correct the bladder/bowel-brain communication pathway and restore bladder and bowel function.
Medtronic Bladder and Bowel Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim system restore bladder and bowel function by gently stimulating the sacral nerves. It’s sometimes called sacral neuromodulation (SNM). With this therapy, you may experience fewer trips to the bathroom, fewer accidents and more confidence as you get back to the activities you enjoy.
InterStim is safe, FDA-approved and minimally invasive. It’s been helping people improve their quality of life for more than 20 years.
- 84% satisfaction among those who use it
- 3x greater improvements in quality of life compared to medications
- 82% of people achieve success at 5 years with InterStim therapy
- 45% of people achieve complete continence at 5 years with In InterStim therapy
Unlike other bladder and bowel control therapies, InterStim is the only therapy that allows you to try it first. It’s called an evaluation- like a test run, not a long-term commitment.
Here’s how it works
- The simple evaluation starts at our outpatient facility, Oxford Urocare
- A lead (thin wire) is placed in your upper buttock along the nerves that control your bladder
- The lead attaches to a small external device worn discreetly under your clothes
- Stop, start or adjust the therapy with a Samsung controller
- Go about most of your normal activities for 3-6 days
- Track your symptoms in a diary to see if they improve
After the end of your trial, talk with our providers about the results. Did it feel successful? Did you see symptom improvement? Together, we will decide if the long-term therapy is the right choice. If it is, we can replace the external device with an implantable device called a neurostimulator during a short, out-patient procedure.
What is InterStim™ X?
The recharge-free InterStim™ X system gives patients freedom from a recharging routine, the hassle of recharging components, and a reminder they have a disease. InterStim™ X is simple, convenient, low maintenance. InterStim™ X allows full-body 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI conditional scans with SureScanTM MRI technology. InterStim™ X lasts between 10-15 years.
What is InterStim™ Micro?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the InterStim™ Micro neurostimulator, the market’s smallest and fastest rechargeable device to deliver sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy. It offers a smaller size compared to InterStim X and a slightly longer battery life. InterStim Micro also allows full-body 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI conditional scans with SureScanTM MRI technology.
What are the benefits of the new InterStim™ systems for patients with OAB or FI?
Medtronic is the only company to offer patients the freedom to choose between a rechargeable or recharge-free sacral neuromodulation device to best match their preferences, lifestyle and treatment goals. Both InterStim™ Micro and InterStim™ X are full body MRI conditional, and deliver the same therapy and long-term relief.
The recharge-free InterStim X system is simple and convenient with lower maintenance and time commitments. This specific system gives patients the freedom from a recharging routine, the hassle of recharging components, and a reminder they have a disease.
The InterStim Micro rechargeable system is the smallest device on the market with the fastest rechargeability and is stronger than other manufacturers’ batteries. It features proprietary Overdrive™ battery technology — a battery with virtually no loss in capacity over time.[i] The new battery technology allows patients to choose how and when they want to charge their device — from as often as once a week, or as infrequent as once per month, depending on the patient’s preference and device settings. There is no battery fade at 15 years* and patients can restart their therapy after extended breaks in time.
To help decide which system (recharge-free vs. rechargeable) best fits your needs and lifestyle, please speak with our providers and watch the video below.
How does InterStim ™ Micro compare in size to other neurostimulators?
The InterStim™ Micro neurostimulator is about half the size of the other rechargeable device on the market.
The most common adverse events include pain at implant sites, new pain, lead migration, infection, technical or device problems, adverse change in bowel or voiding function, and undesirable stimulation or sensations. Any of these may require additional surgery or cause return of symptoms.
Visit Medtronic.com to learn more.
FAQs
Q: WHAT IS MEDTRONIC BLADDER CONTROL THERAPY DELIVERED BY THE INTERSTIM™ SYSTEMS?
A: This therapy is an implantable device that targets the nerves that control your bladder to help it function normally again.
Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE INTERSTIM X™ AND INTERSTIM™ MICRO SYSTEMS?
A: Both are designed to deliver effective symptom relief through sacral neuromodulation. The InterStim X™ system is a recharge-free device, while the InterStim™ Micro system is rechargeable.
Q: HOW DO THE INTERSTIM™ SYSTEMS WORK?
A: Medtronic bladder control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems restores bladder function by gently stimulating the sacral nerves.
Q: WHY DO THEY TREAT THE SACRAL NERVES?
A: Doctors believe that bladder control problems are caused by miscommunication between the brain and the sacral nerves, which are located in the lower back and control the bladder.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS THERAPY?
A: With this therapy, you may experience fewer trips to the bathroom, fewer accidents, more confidence, and more freedom.
Q: WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OR COMPLICATIONS?
A: Choosing to have an InterStim™ system implanted has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.
Q: WILL THIS THERAPY CURE MY CONDITION?
A: No. It can be effective, but it’s not a cure. If the neurostimulator is turned off or removed, symptoms can return.
Q: HOW LONG DOES THE RELIEF LAST?
A: Everyone’s experience of relief is different, so it is difficult to generalize. What we can say is that in a clinical study, our therapy significantly reduced symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and non-obstructive urinary retention in people treated for five years.
Q: WHAT DOES THE STIMULATION FEEL LIKE?
A: Most people describe it as a slight pulling, tingling, or fluttering sensation in the pelvic area. The stimulation is always adjustable, and should not be painful.
Q: WHY IS THIS THERAPY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER OPTIONS?
A: You can try it before you decide, and it’s reversible if you change your mind later. The InterStim™ systems deliver sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy that has been shown to be more effective than medications for OAB. And unlike injections, this therapy doesn’t require self-catheterization or repeated treatment visits.
Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO GET AN MRI WITH THE IMPLANTABLE DEVICE?
A: Yes, you can have a full-body MRI scan under certain conditions. Your clinician can provide more details about these conditions, as well as safety information.
Q: HOW LONG HAS THIS THERAPY BEEN AROUND?
A: Since its approval in 1997, the InterStim™ system has been used to treat bladder control problems in hundreds of thousands of patients around the world.
Q: WILL INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS
A: Medicare and many private insurance companies cover this therapy. Talk to your doctor to learn more about your insurance coverage.