Helping patients regain confidence through innovative overactive bladder treatment at AdventHealth Parker

PARKER, Colo. — For many people living with overactive bladder and urinary urgency incontinence, everyday moments can feel uncertain.

Simple activities like traveling, exercising or spending time with family may become stressful when bathroom access is always top of mind.

AdventHealth Parker is now offering an innovative treatment option designed to help patients regain comfort, confidence and greater freedom in daily life.

Alison Tate, MD, a urogynecologist at AdventHealth Parker, is helping patients explore relief through the Altaviva™ implant, a minimally invasive therapy that supports bladder control by targeting the nerves connected to bladder function.

A new option for lasting relief

The Altaviva™ implant is designed for adult women and men experiencing urinary urgency incontinence, a condition that can cause urine leakage after a sudden and intense urge to urinate.

During a brief outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic, a small device is placed just beneath the skin near the ankle.

Once activated, the implant delivers gentle electrical pulses to the posterior tibial nerve, helping support communication between the bladder and the brain.

“The goal is to help calm the nerve signals that contribute to urgency and bladder spasms,” Dr. Tate said. “For many patients, this therapy can help them return to activities they may have avoided for years.”

The procedure typically takes about 10 minutes, and patients are able to return home shortly afterward. The device is discreet beneath the skin and designed to provide long-term therapy.

Focused on what matters most to patients

Many people considering the Altaviva™ implant have already tried medications, pelvic floor therapy, or other treatments without finding enough relief or while experiencing unwanted side effects.

“Neuromodulation has been an effective therapy for bladder control symptoms for many years,” Dr. Tate said. “What makes this option different is that it offers a minimally invasive approach near the ankle while still helping address the nerve pathways involved in bladder function.”

Clinical trial results have shown encouraging outcomes. After 12 months of therapy, 80% of patients reported improvement in their symptoms, and 61% experienced at least a 50% reduction in urgency urinary incontinence episodes.

A patient story of renewed freedom

For Cindy Bulla, the procedure has helped restore peace of mind and independence.

Before treatment, Bulla spent years trying different therapies and medications to manage her symptoms. Everyday activities, including traveling and walking her dogs, often came with anxiety about finding a restroom in time.

“There were times I couldn’t go one hour away from a restroom without an accident,” she said.

After seeing positive results from tibial nerve stimulation therapy and medication, Bulla’s care team recommended the Altaviva™ implant as a longer-term option.

Today, she says life feels different.

“I don’t have to plan my activities around the closest bathroom anymore,” Bulla said.

She now enjoys regular walks with her dogs and more confidence in her daily routine.

Encouraging people to seek care

Dr. Tate encourages anyone experiencing symptoms of overactive bladder or urgency incontinence to talk with a provider about available treatment options.

“No one should feel like they have to live with these symptoms alone,” she said. “There are treatment options available, and for the right patients, this therapy can help improve quality of life in meaningful ways.”

Patients considering the procedure should discuss their personal health history and lifestyle needs with their care team to determine whether the therapy is the right fit for them.

To request an appointment with Dr. Tate, please visit: Alison Tate, MD | Urogynecology | Parker, CO | AdventHealth