Kristin Knetzer, FNP-C

I’m Kristin Knetzer, FNP-C, a certified family nurse practitioner, who joined the Phelps Health Pain Management Center in August 2024. I work closely with my collaborating physician, Glenn Kunkel, MD.

I see patients 18 years and older for a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, acute pain, herniated discs, joint degeneration, compression fractures and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (diabetic nerve damage). Other common ailments that I see are arthritis, shingles pain, headaches, spinal stenosis (when the space inside the backbone is too small), fibromyalgia and more.

Common procedures performed in the Pain Management Center include kyphoplasty (an injected treatment for fractured vertebrae), discograms (tests used to tell if a specific disc may be causing pain), spinal biopsies, spinal cord stimulation, epidural steroid injections, sciatica injections, intrathecal pain pumps, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation therapy and more.

I’m originally from Houston, Missouri, and currently live in the Raymondville, Missouri, area with my husband, our children, two cats and two dogs. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, gardening, kayaking, trying new foods, reading thriller novels and spending time with my family.

After 7 years as a registered nurse (RN), I wanted the autonomy to make higher-level decisions regarding my patients’ care. I strive to be adaptable, empathetic and enthusiastic in helping patients find an effective method of pain relief. The Pain Management Center is a good fit for me because it allows me to make a meaningful impact on patients’ quality of life. Phelps Health has a remarkable culture of kindness, and I enjoy the rapport I have with my fellow providers.

I believe in a patient-centered approach to healthcare. Through education and collaboration, I aim to empower my patients to make informed decisions. This collaboration also helps me continuously improve as a provider.

I also offer telehealth visits, which allow patients to visit with me remotely using a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection and audio-video capabilities.