9/5/2012 – Minimally invasive treatment for overactive bladder now available

Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) is a new minimally invasive outpatient procedure for the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms (OAB) that is now available at BMI The Priory Hospital.

A fine needle is inserted into a nerve just above the ankle and a mild electric current is passed through the needle and carried to the nerves that control bowel and bladder function. By stimulating the nerves through the use of gentle electrical pulses, bladder activity can be altered.
The treatment programme consists of twelve weekly thirty minute sessions where when activating the electrical stimulator, the doctor or nurse who is administering the treatment will be able to ascertain the body’s response to the treatment. Typically it takes on average 6 sessions for an improvement in symptoms to be seen. It is important to complete the 12 weekly sessions before an evaluation can be made on whether the treatment programme has been a success.

An overactive bladder can be caused by pregnancy and childbirth, pelvic or prostate surgery, obesity, trauma and chronic disease where nerves and muscles surrounding the bladder regulate bladder function. When other treatments fail to treat an overactive bladder Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) may be recommended as a treatment option. To make a diagnosis if a patient is suitable to undergo the treatment, a medical history will be taken, along with treating of the bladder function and patients may be asked to keep a “bladder diary” to monitor how often they urinate. It is important when keeping a bladder diary to record symptoms of urgency when needing to urinate and any urge incontinence.

For more information on this treatment call the Birmingham Bladder Clinic on 0870 850 3865 or email info@the bladderclinic.co.uk.

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