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The ideal long-term treatment frequency is yet to be established and depends on the individual’s response to treatment.These usually involve a single treatment that may occur once every few months.Further “maintenance” treatments are required with PTNS.A tingling sensation may be felt in the ankle, foot or toes during the treatment.The needle is connected to a device that sends a low-grade electrical signal, which travels up the nerves in the leg to the nerves that control the bladder.In the seated position a fine needle similar to an acupuncture type needle is inserted into the skin just behind the ankle on the inner aspect of the leg.Treatments do not require any preparation, fasting or restriction in activities such as driving. Each treatment session lasts about 30 minutes.Initially 12 treatments are administered at approximately weekly intervals in the consulting rooms.The PTNS device (called Urgent®PC) produces an adjustable electrical impulse that travels via the tibial nerve in the foot to the sacral nerve plexus, which helps regulate bladder and pelvic floor function. Electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve (a nerve in the leg which originates at a similar level in the spinal cord as the sacral nerves) sends a message to the sacral nerves that is thought to modify and regulate the nerves that control the bladder. it aims to change the abnormal pattern of stimulation of the nerves that supply the bladder and pelvic floor.īladder and pelvic floor muscle function is co-ordinated in the lower part of the spinal cord by the sacral nerves. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a form of neuromodulation – i.e.
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What is Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS)? symptoms that are poorly responding to the initial treatments for OAB) when they have not responded to or do not tolerate at least 2 of the newer medications available for OAB symptoms. Patient are regarding as having “refractory” symptoms (i.e. after medications and bladder retraining with pelvic floor physiotherapy have been unsuccessful in controlling symptoms. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is regarded as a 3 rd line treatment for patients for overactive bladder (OAB) i.e.
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