Urgent PC Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation

What is Urgent PC posterior tibial nerve stimulation?

Urgent PC is an office-based treatment for an overactive bladder in women. If you suffer from urinary urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence, then this non-drug, non-surgical option may be right for you. Urgent PC treatments rely on neuromodulation to stimulate the tibial nerve. Mild electrical pulses stimulate the tibial nerve in order to improve bladder function. This treatment has been around since 2003, and has proven to be an effective treatment for an overactive bladder. There is very low risk involved, making it a great choice for women who do not want to undergo more invasive procedures.

What is overactive bladder?

Bladder function is a complex interaction between your bladder, brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. They work together to coordinate urine storage and elimination. For people experiencing an overactive bladder, there is a breakdown in this communication and coordination. The bladder will send signals to the brain that the bladder should be emptied, even when it’s not full. This causes the symptoms associated with overactive bladder to occur, which include:

• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Urge incontinence (a sudden, frequent need to urinate)

How does the Urgent PC system work?

During treatment, you will sit comfortably. A very fine needle electrode is inserted near the ankle and placed near the tibial nerve. The electrode is attached to an external stimulator. During a 30-minute painless treatment, mild impulses from the stimulator travel through the needle electrode, up your leg via the tibial nerve to the sacral nerves. The sacral nerves are responsible for pelvic floor function. Stimulating these nerves quiets the overactive bladder, reducing inappropriate bladder contraction and the number of signals sent to the brain. This results in less urinary frequency and urgency.

What will I feel during treatments?

Your experience and the sensations you feel will vary. Patients often describe a tingling or pulsating sensation, which is usually well-tolerated and not described as painful. Urgent PC allows for different levels of stimulation, so we can adjust the treatment to your needs.

What results can I expect?

An initial series of 12 weekly, 30-minute treatments is usually recommended. If your body responds positively to the initial series, you will likely need to schedule monthly treatments to maintain your results. Because Urgent PC gently modifies the signals that control the bladder, it may take several weeks for your symptoms to improve. However, patients respond at different rates.

Schedule an appointment in Southern California

If you suffer from an overactive bladder and you’re interested in Urgent PC posterior tibial nerve stimulation, schedule an appointment at South Bay Urology. We can determine if the treatments will benefit you, and we will create a custom treatment plan. Call us at (310) 542-0199 or request an appointment online to get expert medical care.