Altaviva™ is a small implantable tibial nerve stimulation device designed to treat urge urinary incontinence (UUI), a common form of overactive bladder.The device is implanted just beneath the skin near the ankle, where it delivers gentle electrical stimulation to the tibial nerve. This stimulation helps restore communication between the bladder and the brain, reducing urgency and bladder leakage.

Altaviva is designed for adults experiencing symptoms such as:Sudden, difficult-to-control urges to urinateUrinary leakage associated with urgencyFrequent urination throughout the dayWaking multiple times overnight to urinateIt is intended for patients who have not achieved adequate improvement with behavioral therapy or medications, or who cannot tolerate medication side effects.

Your bladder and brain constantly communicate through nerves.  In patients with overactive bladder, these signals become abnormal, causing the bladder to contract when it shouldn't.Altaviva stimulates the tibial nerve, which influences the nerves responsible for bladder control. This neuromodulation helps normalize those signals, reducing urgency and leakage over time.

The Altaviva device is implanted during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.  A small incision is made near the ankle, and the device is placed just beneath the skin. The procedure does not require general anesthesia or fluoroscopy. Most patients return home shortly afterward.

No.One of the biggest advantages of Altaviva is that it eliminates the need for weekly office-based PTNS treatments. Once implanted, the device provides ongoing therapy without repeated needle treatments.

Both therapies use tibial nerve stimulation and are effective treatments for urge urinary incontinence.The primary difference is convenience.Traditional PTNS (Urgent PC)Weekly office treatmentsNeedle inserted at each visitOngoing maintenance appointmentsAltaviva Implantable Tibial NeuromodulationOne outpatient implant procedureNo weekly needle treatmentsContinuous therapy at home

Many patients choose Altaviva because medications either did not improve their symptoms or caused unwanted side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, or cognitive concerns.Altaviva offers a medication-free treatment option for appropriate candidates, however in select patients, it may be combined with medication therapy.

During treatment, you may feel a tingling or tapping sensation in the bottom of the foot.  Most patients describe the stimulation as mild or barely noticeable. Your therapy settings can be adjusted to maximize comfort while maintaining effectiveness.

The Altaviva system is rechargeable. Patients periodically recharge the device using an external charger, allowing long-term therapy without frequent replacement procedures.  For most patients, recharge only needs to occur yearly.

You may be a good candidate if you:Have overactive bladder with urgency urinary incontinenceContinue to have symptoms despite conservative treatmentPrefer a long-term alternative to weekly PTNS appointmentsWant to avoid or reduce bladder medications

As with any implant procedure, there are potential risks.Possible complications include pain near the implant site, infection, lower leg discomfort, wound healing issues, movement of the implant, or device-related problems. Not every patient is a candidate, and individual results vary.

All three treatments use neuromodulation, or gentle electrical stimulation, to improve communication between the bladder and the brain. The biggest difference is which nerve is stimulated.AltavivaStimulates the tibial nerve near the ankleSmall device implanted just beneath the skin near the ankleMinimally invasive outpatient procedureDesigned specifically for urge urinary incontinenceNo surgery near the spine or buttock InterStim and Axonics   Stimulate the sacral nerves in the lower backImplant placed in the upper buttock with a lead positioned near the sacral nervesTypically performed in two stages (test phase followed by permanent implantation if successful)FDA-approved to treat overactive bladder, urinary retention, and some forms of bowel dysfunction