Activa® Therapy |
Questions about living with
Activa Therapy:
Q-20: What happens after the surgery?
A: Some time after the surgery, the patient returns to the physician for initial programming of the neurostimulator. The physician will adjust stimulation to optimize symptom control and minimize any side effects, and will then schedule follow-up appointments as needed.
Q-21: How is the stimulation adjusted?
A: To adjust the stimulation, a clinician uses a programmer that communicates with the neurostimulator through radio frequency—a non-invasive, painless way of adjusting stimulation to match the patient's need for symptom control.
Q-22: How soon after surgery can I get back to my normal routine?
A: Some people leave the hospital the day after the implant procedure; others may stay a few days. Most individuals recover quickly and most experience little discomfort while healing. However, physicians do advise people to avoid exerting themselves for several weeks after implant.
Q-23: Is the Activa Therapy magnet safe near credit or debit cards?
A: No. The hand-held magnet that turns the Activa Therapy System on and off can erase encoded information on credit and debit cards. Individuals are advised to keep the magnet at least six inches (15 cm) away from these cards. Patients take home a small instruction card with complete directions and precautions after their first programming session.
Q-24: Will the magnet affect computers, compact discs (CDs) and other electronic hardware?
A: Yes. It is possible that the magnet could erase information on computer hard disks, CDs, and videocassettes, so it is best to keep the magnet away from these items.
Q-25: Is there an effect on the Activa System when a patient is near electronics?
A: Sometimes. Most of the electrical devices people are around in a normal day will not harm the Activa Therapy System. These include household appliances, computers, office machines, cellular phones, and personal radios. The neurostimulator could be turned off, however, if it comes within inches of small permanent magnets such as those found in stereo speakers, radios, telephones, magnet therapy products, shoe magnets and refrigerator-door magnets.
The Activa System may interact with or be turned ON or OFF by certain types of devices that generate electromagnetic energy. Theft detectors and airport security screening devices may have enough electromagnetic energy to cause uncomfortable increases in stimulation, and it is best to avoid them if possible. Patients are advised to use care when approaching these devices. Detailed instructions for patients when approaching theft detectors and airport security screening devices are provided in the product packaging and in the patient user guides.
Activa Therapy patients should carry an identification card at all times that contains important information about their system. The card can be presented to operators of theft detectors and screening devices. The card can also, in the event of an accident, give people in attendance information about the neurostimulator and the patient's doctor.
Other devices may have enough magnetic field strength to turn the neurostimulator on or off and should be approached carefully. These include theft detectors, large stereo speakers with magnets, manufacturing and heavy industrial equipment, electric arc welding equipment, electric induction heaters used in industry to bend plastic, electric steel furnaces, power lines, and electric substations and power generators.
There are specific instructions for undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures. If a medical test is prescribed, the testing physician must be told about the implanted Activa System.
Q-26: Will an Activa Therapy System interact with other medical tests I might have?
A: People who use Activa Therapy should consult their physicians before receiving any medical treatment. If a medical test is prescribed, the testing physician must be told about the implanted Activa Therapy System.
The following procedures may affect your Activa System:
- Diathermy is used in treatments for
the following purposes:
- To relieve pain, stiffness and muscle spasms
- To reduce joint contractures
- To reduce swelling and pain after surgery
- To promote wound healing
Diathermy's energy can be transferred through the implanted system which can cause tissue damage and can result in severe injury or death. Read important safety information here and warming below:
DIATHERMY WARNING: Activa Therapy patients must inform anyone treating them that they CANNOT have any shortwave diathermy, microwave diathermy or therapeutic ultrasound diathermy (all now referred to as diathermy) anywhere on your body because you have an implanted neurostimulation system. Energy from diathermy can be transferred through your implanted system, can cause tissue damage and can result in severe injury or death. Diathermy can also damage parts of your neurostimulation system. This can result in loss of therapy from your neurostimulation system, and may require additional surgery to remove or replace parts of your implanted device. Injury or damage can occur during diathermy treatment whether your neurostimulation system is turned “on” or “off.” |
- Therapeutic ultrasound, electrolysis, radiation therapy, and electrocautery also should not be used directly over the neurostimulator site.
- Diagnostic x-rays do not cause a problem. But some procedures, such as mammograms, require tight enclosure of the area where your neurostimulator can be implanted, and may require additional adjustment of the x-ray equipment.
- Tell your dentist where your neurostimulator is implanted, so he or she can take precautions with dental drills and ultrasonic probes used to clean your teeth. These devices should not be used directly over the neurostimulator site.
- In the event of a patient’s death, the neurostimulator must be removed before cremation.
- Read additional MRI safety precautions.
Additional Information |
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