A Small Implant That Works on Its Own Schedule
Altaviva Implantable Tibial Neuromodulation in Central Wyoming for adults with urge urinary incontinence who have not responded to medications or conservative treatments
Overactive bladder symptoms—sudden, strong urges to urinate and unexpected leakage—can disrupt daily routines in ways that medications and pelvic floor exercises do not always address. Central Wyoming Urological Associates, PC offers Altaviva implantable tibial neuromodulation (ITNM) for adults who have tried those approaches without adequate relief or who could not tolerate the side effects that often come with long-term medication use. Altaviva is a small implanted device that delivers scheduled, automatic stimulation to the tibial nerve near the ankle to help calm the signals driving urgency and leakage.
The tibial nerve shares nerve pathways with the nerves that regulate bladder function. When those pathways carry disrupted or overactive signals, the result is the urgent, difficult-to-defer sensation that defines urge incontinence. Altaviva works by delivering gentle electrical stimulation on a pre-set schedule—without any daily action required from the patient. Because the stimulation runs automatically, there are no office visits for repeat needle sessions, no pills to take each day, and no adjustments needed during normal activity.
Request a consultation with Central Wyoming Urological Associates, PC to discuss whether Altaviva is appropriate for your specific symptoms and history.
How the Altaviva Procedure and Device Work
The Altaviva implant is placed during a single outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia—no sedation and no imaging equipment are required. Through a small incision of approximately two centimeters near the ankle, the neurostimulator is positioned just under the skin where it can reach the tibial nerve. Because sedation is not involved, the procedure is straightforward from a preparation standpoint, and therapy can be activated the same day the device is placed. That same-day activation also reduces the number of follow-up visits typically associated with starting a new therapy.
After placement, patients will notice that the device runs on its own schedule without requiring daily management. The Altaviva system includes three components: the implanted neurostimulator, a patient programmer app used to communicate with the device, and a wireless recharger worn with an ankle band. The neurostimulator is rechargeable and designed for approximately 15 years of therapy. For patients who require imaging, the device is full-body MRI compatible at both 1.5T and 3T under certain specified conditions—an important practical consideration for managing other health needs over a device life of that length.
Altaviva is not appropriate for every patient. Adults with poor circulation or skin problems in the lower leg, uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or an untreated urinary blockage may not be candidates for this therapy. A thorough consultation is the appropriate starting point for determining eligibility based on individual health history.
What Patients Commonly Ask About Altaviva
The following questions address what patients in Central Wyoming most often want to understand before scheduling a consultation for Altaviva tibial neuromodulation.
What does the implant procedure involve on the day it is performed?
The device is placed through a small incision near the ankle under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting, and therapy can be turned on the same day without sedation or imaging.
How is Altaviva different from percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation?
Unlike in-office PTNS, which requires repeat needle sessions on a regular schedule, Altaviva is implanted once and delivers stimulation automatically without ongoing office visits.
What are the known risks associated with this implant?
Risks include pain at the implant site, infection, wound healing difficulties, movement of the device, uncomfortable stimulation levels, and possible loss of effect over time; these will be reviewed in detail at your consultation.
How long does the device last before it needs to be replaced?
The Altaviva neurostimulator is designed to provide approximately 15 years of therapy and is rechargeable using a wireless ankle band recharger.
Why would a physician in Central Wyoming recommend this over continuing medication?
When medications have not produced adequate relief or have caused side effects that affect daily life, an implanted device that operates without daily dosing offers a structurally different treatment approach rather than an adjustment to the same category of therapy.
Central Wyoming Urological Associates, PC will review your full treatment history and current symptoms at a consultation to determine whether Altaviva implantable tibial neuromodulation fits your situation. Schedule that appointment to begin a detailed evaluation of your candidacy and treatment options.