LEXINGTON, KY – March 12, 2026 – Dr. Stephen J. Monnig, a Lexington Clinic physician and board-certified urologist, has performed the first Altaviva™ tibial neuromodulation implant at Lexington Clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). The procedure adds to Dr. Monnig’s list of recognitions, including UroLift® and InterStim™ Center of Excellence designations.
This milestone positions Lexington Clinic at the forefront of advanced treatment options for urge urinary incontinence (UUI), a condition affecting more than 16 million adults nationwide. The Altaviva device, developed by Medtronic, is implanted near the tibial nerve above the ankle, where it delivers gentle electrical pulses to help restore communication between the bladder and the brain.
“As technology advances, we can offer a wider array of options to best fit a patient’s needs,” said Dr. Monnig.
“The device – just half the length of a stick of chewing gum – serves as an example of just how far we’ve come with tibial neuromodulation treatment reliability.”
The compact, leadless implant offers several advantages over traditional therapies: a minimally invasive procedure requiring no sedation or CT scan imaging radiation, same-day therapy activation, and MRI compatibility beginning on day one. The device’s battery is designed to last up to 15 years, with recharging typically needed only once or twice a year for about 30 minutes.
Tibial neuromodulation has long been recognized as an effective therapy for reducing bladder control symptoms, and the introduction of Altaviva expands access to a durable, low maintenance option for patients seeking long-term symptom relief.
