Murfreesboro, TN — Murfreesboro Medical Clinic’s newest ENT physician, Hunter Arnaud, M.D., has recently completed the first Inspire procedure at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter (MMC). Inspire is an FDA-approved treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), designed for individuals unable to tolerate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately 22 million Americans. If left untreated, the condition can lead to various complications, including vehicle and workplace accidents, cognitive decline, stroke, heart attack, and even death. OSA occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, obstructing the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain reacts by waking the body just long enough to breathe, creating a repetitive cycle that results in poor and disrupted sleep.
Inspire therapy operates in harmony with the body’s natural breathing rhythm to alleviate sleep apnea. It provides mild stimulation to keep the airway open during sleep, thus allowing unrestricted oxygen flow. Patients control the Inspire device with a handheld remote, which they activate before bedtime and deactivate upon waking.
The Inspire system is implanted through a brief outpatient procedure, involving two small incisions on the neck and chest. Most patients can return home the same day and manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief.
The FDA's approval of Inspire was backed by the STAR clinical trial, which demonstrated significant reductions in sleep apnea events and noticeable improvements in quality of life over five years. Over 150 peer-reviewed studies have confirmed these findings.
“I could not be more excited to bring this revolutionary technology to the people of Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee, and I could not be prouder of the incredible team here at MMC that has made it possible,” said Dr. Arnaud, Otolaryngologist of MMC’s Comprehensive ENT Department. “It is a privilege to care for the wonderful people of our community and help restore their sleep and day-to-day lives.”
Joey Peay, CEO of MMC, commended Dr. Arnaud’s achievement, stating, “His ability to perform the Inspire procedure in Murfreesboro further demonstrates the Clinic’s commitment to offering state-of-the-art medical treatments to our community. We will continue to encourage our physicians to bring innovative procedures and techniques to benefit our patients.”
Dr. Hunter Arnaud is a board-eligible physician specializing in Otolaryngology (ENT) with expertise in adult and pediatric ENT, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, cochlear implants, nasal and sinus surgery, head and neck surgery, and Inspire sleep apnea implants. He obtained his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and completed his residency in Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
More Information: For more information about Inspire or Dr. Hunter Arnaud, please visit www.mmclinic.com/inspire-therapy. Murfreesboro Medical Clinic is a multi-specialty, physician-owned practice dedicated to providing patients with exceptional primary and specialty care within their community. For further details about Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter, please visit mmclinic.com.
