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Published on: January 10, 2013
Treating overactive bladder with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation
Jordan Shireman1, Shilpa N Gajarawala, Amanda Stanton
1At the time this article was written, Jordan Shireman was a student in the PA program at South University in Tampa, Fla. She now practices in behaviorial medicine with TeamHealth in Tamarac, Fla. Shilpa N. Gajarawala practices in the Department of Medical and Surgical Gynecology at Mayo Clinic Florida, is an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and adjunct faculty in the DMSc program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Science in Provo, Utah. Melissa McCrary and Amanda Stanton practice in the Department of Medical and Surgical Gynecology at Mayo Clinic Florida and are instructors of obstetrics and gynecology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Overactive bladder (OAB) affects many, especially women over 40. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation offered successful treatment when other therapies failed for one patient.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neurology
- Pelvic Health
Background:
- Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition impacting bladder control.
- OAB affects patients across all age groups, with higher incidence in women over 40.
- Established treatments include behavioral changes, antimuscarinics, beta-3 agonists, and botulinum toxin injections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case study of a patient with refractory overactive bladder.
- To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in a treatment-resistant OAB case.
Main Methods:
- A patient with persistent OAB symptoms despite conventional treatments was selected.
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) was administered.
- Treatment outcomes were assessed based on symptom improvement and patient response.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced successful symptom resolution following PTNS.
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation proved effective where prior treatments had failed.
- This indicates PTNS as a viable therapeutic option for refractory OAB.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation can be a successful treatment for overactive bladder.
- PTNS offers a valuable alternative for patients unresponsive to standard OAB therapies.
- This case highlights the potential of neuromodulation in managing complex bladder dysfunction.

