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Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS)

This type of neuromodulation therapy targets the percutaneous tibial nerve. Small electrodes are inserted into the ankle. The electrical impulses in the tibial nerve can help control symptoms of urinary urgency.

Urgent® PC Neuromodulation System

When other first-line therapies do not help resolve OAB symptoms, another type of neuromodulation therapy has proven effective: Urgent PC. This treatment targets the percutaneous tibial nerve using percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) to treat individuals with OAB symptoms. Your doctor will have you seated comfortably in the office where he or she will insert a small, thin needle electrode near your ankle. The electrode is connected to a battery-powered stimulator that emits mild electrical impulses along your tibial nerve in your leg and to the nerves in your pelvis that control bladder function. The slight electrical impulses inhibit frequent contractions of the pelvic floor and bladder muscles for better urinary control and less frequent urinary urges.

Urgent PC uses percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) to treat individuals with OAB symptoms. Your doctor will have you seated comfortably in the office where he or she will insert a small, thin needle electrode near your ankle. The electrode is connected to a battery-powered stimulator that emits mild electrical impulses along your tibial nerve in your leg and to the nerves in your pelvis that control bladder function. The slight electrical impulses inhibit frequent contractions of the pelvic floor and bladder muscles for better urinary control and less frequent urinary urges.

How Often are Urgent PC Treatments Given?

Your doctor will prescribe a series of 12 treatments, typically given once weekly for 30 minutes. Urgent PC inhibits some of your uncontrollable bladder contractions and it may take up to six weeks to see positive changes in urinary urgency. Every patient responds differently to the therapy, which is why your doctor will closely monitor your symptoms and perform necessary maintenance treatments after the initial 12 treatments.

Effectiveness of Urgent PC

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Urgent PC treatments are effective in up to 80% of patients. In a review of about 100 patients who had success with Urgent PC, symptoms improved anywhere between two and 12 weeks. For approximately 20% of the patients, symptoms of urgency did not improve after eight weeks.

Side Effects

The most common side effects associated with Urgent PC are minimal and temporary, resulting from placement of the needle electrode. These can include:

  • Minor bleeding
  • Mild pain or discomfort
  • Skin inflammation