Fecal Incontinence

Bowel control problems are extremely common, but they are not normal. If you suffer from bowel control issues, you know how much they can interrupt your life. It’s time to speak up and get back to living your life.

DO THE FOLLOWING SOUND FAMILIAR?

  • Frequent bowel accidents
  • Monitoring what and how much you eat
  • Using pads or protective garments
  • Planning activities around the bathroom

YOU ARE NOT ALONE – FIND RELIEF FOR BOWEL CONTROL PROBLEMS

Fecal Incontinence (FI) is a treatable condition. It’s not a normal part of aging. And you shouldn’t have to deal with it on your own.

Sacral neuromodulation is a treatment option for people who experience fecal incontinence. This treatment involves the use of a small device called a neurostimulator, which is placed under the skin near the sacral nerves in the lower back. This procedure aims to restore normal function to the sacral nerves and improve bowel control in individuals with fecal incontinence. It can be an effective treatment option for those who have not found relief from other conservative treatments and are seeking a long-term solution.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

There are many ways to manage bowel control problems. Remember, if conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you need, you have more options.

treatment plan

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Conservative treatments can help some people but may not work very well (or at all) for others. All of these are relatively simple behavioral changes that you may already be doing.

  • Dietary modification: changes may include adjusting fiber intake or eliminating troublesome foods.
  • Bowel retraining: also called biofeedback, this aims to improve bowel sensation, coordination, and strength.
  • Medication: anti-diarrheal medication may provide some relief.

ORAL MEDICATIONS

When lifestyle changes fail to deliver the relief results you want, oral medications are the next step. These medications can help control symptoms but may cause other issues.

These medications need to be taken daily. Some side effects can be unpleasant, such as dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness or constipation. Other side effects are more serious. Even more important, these medications don't always work. In one survey, 72% of people said they stopped taking their medication after just six months.

ADVANCED THERAPIES

If conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you want, you have more options.

MEDTRONIC BOWEL CONTROL THERAPY DELIVERED BY THE InterStim™ SYSTEMS

Evidence suggests that breakdowns in the bowel-brain communication pathway may be a root cause of chronic fecal incontinence (FI).1 That’s why conventional treatments may not produce the results you want — they don’t directly target this miscommunication.

Unlike conventional treatments, the Medtronic InterStim™ systems gently stimulate the sacral nerves in your pelvic area that control your bowel. This may help restore* bowel-brain communication and reduce your symptoms.

THE RELIEF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR

When more conservative treatments fail, Medtronic bowel control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems can help. This therapy is simple and discreet, and it delivers the kind of relief that lets you enjoy the activities you love without a second thought.

  • Targets the nerves that control your bowel to help it function normally again
  • Clinically proven to stop or greatly reduce bowel accidents
  • Significantly improved quality of life (lifestyle, ability to cope, embarrassment, and depression)
  • Lets you evaluate if it works before you and your doctor decide
  • Allows you to get full-body MRI scans if you need them
  • Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced relief* with this safe, FDA-approved and minimally invasive therapy

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Medtronic bowel control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems offers recharge-free and rechargeable options, so you can choose the right one for your lifestyle.

  • The recharge-free InterStim X™ system may be best for most people; it's convenient and low maintenance.
  • The rechargeable InterStim™ Micro system is smaller, lasts longer, and requires regular recharging sessions.
InterStim systems size comparison to quarter

Quarter shown for size comparison

PROVEN RESULTS

Medtronic bowel control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems provides life changing relief.

  • 89% of people using it experienced long-term success
  • Delivers significant and lasting improvement for people with FI
  • The most common adverse events were implant site pain, paresthesia, change in sensation of stimulation, implant site infection, urinary incontinence, neurostimulator battery depletion, diarrhea, pain in extremity, undesirable change in stimulation, buttock pain, and migration of implant.

IS InterStim™ RIGHT FOR YOU?

You may be a good candidate for Medtronic Bowel Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems if:

  • You have significant chronic fecal incontinence symptoms
  • You’ve tried lifestyle changes and oral medications
  • These therapies haven’t given you the relief you want

BENEITS OF MEDTRONIC BOWEL CONTROL THERAPY

Medtronic Bowel Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems may reduce symptoms for many people who suffer from bowel incontinence. Benefits include improved quality of life and reduction in accidents. In addition, the therapy can be discontinued at any time by turning off or surgically removing the device.

SEE IF IT WORKS FOR YOU

Unlike other bowel control treatments, this therapy lets you try it first with an evaluation — like a test run, not a long-term commitment.

  • The simple test starts at your doctor’s office or an outpatient center
  • A lead (thin wire) is inserted in the upper part of your buttock
  • The lead attached to a small external device worn discreetly under your clothes
  • Stop, start or adjust the therapy settings, with an easy-to-use programmer that resembles a smartphone
  • Go about most of your regular activities for 3-14 days
  • Track your symptoms to see if they improve
  • Talk with your doctor about your results and find out if it’s likely to help you

Complications can occur with the evaluation, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device, and some temporary pain. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to use the system and inform you of any activity restrictions and other precautions related to the test.

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MORE CONTROL STARTS WITH OUR SMART PROGRAMMER

Smart device

The smart programmer allows you and your healthcare provider to manage your therapy as needed. Unlike previous iterations of our technology that resembled a key fob without a display screen, our Smart Programmer allows you:

  • Visibility to check your stimulation level on a clear, easy-to-read screen
  • Adjust your stimulation with confidence that it has been changed to the setting you intended
  • Turn stimulation on or off
  • Change therapy programs (as directed by your healthcare provider)
  • Activate MRI mode and check MRI eligibility (see more information below)
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MRI CONFIDENCE

Medtronic’s proprietary SureScan™ MRI technology is what enables patients to get full-body‡ 1.5 and 3T MRI scans. It is the only sacral neuromodulation system with this SureScan technology. This means:

  • Full-body‡ 1.5 and 3T scans
  • No impedance checks required prior to MRI scans
  • Scans allowed even if you have had out-of-range impedances
  • MRI mode is easy to activate or deactivate on Medtronic’s smart programmer without clinician or Medtronic interaction
  • Digital display for clear confirmation of MRI mode activation