VA Augusta offers new treatment for overactive bladder

VA Augusta Health Care System in Georgia has become the first hospital in the state and only the second VA medical center nationwide to offer the Altaviva implant, a new noninvasive treatment for overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence. The device, which received FDA clearance in 2024, provides veterans with a less invasive alternative when medications and lifestyle changes have not provided adequate relief. Dr. Thomas Dykes, chief of urology at VA Augusta, performed the state's first procedure earlier this year.

Overactive bladder and urinary incontinence affect millions of Americans, including hundreds of veterans receiving care at VA Augusta alone. In the last two years, nearly 800 veterans at the facility have needed help managing urinary incontinence, and more than 600 have been treated for overactive bladders. These conditions can severely impact quality of life, forcing constant planning around bathroom access, disrupting sleep, and creating anxiety that limits social activities and travel.

The Altaviva device works by sending gentle electrical pulses to the tibial nerve near the ankle, which helps restore communication between the brain and bladder. Unlike some alternatives that require spinal implants or trial phases, this therapy is placed during a quick outpatient procedure using only local anesthesia. Veterans who have received the treatment report significant improvements in their daily lives, including better sleep, reduced urgency, and the ability to complete normal activities without constant interruption or the need for protective pads.

Army Veteran Bryant Murray, who served four tours in Iraq and struggled with overactive bladder for more than a year, described the relief as life-changing. He had experienced painful pressure buildup and would sometimes wait ten to fifteen minutes in the bathroom, along with waking two to three times nightly. After receiving the implant, which activates three times weekly, Murray said his flow became continuous, leakage stopped, and nighttime interruptions ended. Navy Veteran Gayla Kunis, who managed symptoms for nearly twenty years using up to six pads daily and carrying emergency supplies in her car, reported she no longer needs pads at home and can drive two hours without stopping.

For disabled veterans, bladder control issues can compound existing service-connected conditions and significantly diminish independence and dignity. While the Altaviva therapy is currently available only at VA Augusta and one other VA facility nationwide, its introduction represents an important expansion of specialized urologic services within the VA system. Veterans dealing with overactive bladder have traditionally faced limited options beyond medications that may not work or cause unwanted side effects, making this noninvasive alternative particularly valuable for those who have exhausted other treatments.

Veterans experiencing symptoms of overactive bladder or urge urinary incontinence should discuss treatment options with their VA primary care provider or request a urology referral. Those enrolled at VA Augusta Health Care System can ask specifically about eligibility for the Altaviva therapy during their appointments. Veterans receiving care at other VA facilities may want to inquire whether similar treatments are available or planned at their location, as the technology may expand to additional medical centers in the future.