Sam Kuykendall, MD receiving his Axonics Center of Excellence Recognition
KCUC has been designated an Axonics Center of Excellence by Axonics®, Inc. This designation recognizes the KCUC team, and specifically Sam Kuykendall, MD, for his expertise with Axonics Therapy and sincere commitment to changing the lives of patients suffering from bladder dysfunction.
What Is an Axonics Center of Excellence?
The Axonics Center of Excellence program recognizes highly trained and experienced physicians and clinical practices that are committed to patient education and providing exemplary care to achieve optimal clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Dr. Sam Kuykendall was the first physician in Kansas City to implant the Axonics® Therapy system for bladder control.
How Axonics® for Bladder Control Works
Millions of Americans suffer from overactive bladder. Medical experts have found that overactive bladder, incontinence, and urinary retention may be caused by abnormal communication between the brain and bladder. So how does Axonics Therapy work? The Axonics® device is surgically implanted under the skin. Once in place, it sends mild electrical impulses to the sacral nerves, modulating their activity and restoring proper communication between the brain and the bladder. By doing so, it helps regulate bladder function, reducing episodes of urinary urgency, frequency, and leakage.
Promising Clinical Results
Axonics Therapy has been clinically proven to provide rapid and long-lasting relief of symptoms associated with bladder dysfunction. In a clinical study, 129 patients with urgency incontinence were treated with Axonics Therapy. After one year, 93% of patients were satisfied with their therapy and 89% experienced a 50% or greater reduction in urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) symptoms.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Patients deemed eligible for treatment undergo a minimally invasive surgical procedure to implant the Axonics® device. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and can be completed in less than an hour. Following the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort or soreness at the implant site, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Neural Stimulation Can Be Fine-Tuned
One of the best features of the Axonics device is that it can be customized to the patient’s needs. This may involve several programming sessions to fine-tune the stimulation parameters based on the individual’s response and symptom improvement. Being able to customize the settings for maximum efficacy increases this treatment’s success rate as well as patient satisfaction.
Compassionate Care
At KCUC, we’re dedicated to bringing the latest in medicine to Kansas City. But while we place a high priority on the technologies we employ, we place just as much emphasis on providing personal and compassionate care. This holistic approach values patients’ emotional and physical well-being equally, ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment throughout treatment. With our state-of-the-art technology, dedicated team of professionals, and patient-centered focus, we are setting new standards for patient care.