Stimulation & Implants
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation places a thin lead near one specific nerve, delivering mild electrical pulses that quiet its pain signals before they reach the brain. It is used for focused nerve pain in an arm, leg, or one area of the body, and a temporary trial comes before any longer-term implant.
Request an AppointmentWhat is
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?
Some chronic pain traces back to a single nerve: one injured, irritated, or overactive line that keeps firing long after it should have gone quiet.
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) places a very thin electrode under the skin near that nerve. The electrode delivers mild electrical impulses that change or interrupt the pain signals, making the pain feel less intense.
It isn't major surgery. In most cases the electrode is placed through a small opening or needle-based technique using image guidance, with local anesthetic to numb the area, and the stimulation is tuned to a level that feels comfortable for you.
Patients usually consider PNS when pain has lasted months or years without improving enough through medication, therapy, or injections. By targeting the painful nerve directly, it can improve daily function, movement, sleep, and comfort without relying only on pills.
Dr. Nair evaluates your symptoms, history, and diagnostic findings first. PNS is recommended only when the pain is genuinely nerve-driven and likely to respond.
Placement is needle-based or through a small opening, with no large incision, performed as an outpatient procedure.
Stimulation is delivered exactly where the pain originates, rather than medicating your whole system.
Stimulation settings are tuned to what feels best for you and can be adjusted as your pain pattern changes.
The goal is better comfort and function without depending only on oral medication.
Am I a candidate for peripheral nerve stimulation?
When pain traces back to one nerve, we treat the signal at its source.
PNS may be considered for selected patients with chronic nerve-related pain. Not all pain is nerve-related, so Dr. Nair evaluates your symptoms, history, prior treatments, and diagnostic findings first.
Pain After Knee Replacement
Chronic knee pain that persists after knee replacement surgery.
Diabetic Nerve Pain
Diabetic nerve pain affecting the feet.
Nerve Injury Pain
Ongoing pain from an injured or irritated nerve.
Post-Surgical & Scar Pain
Scar-related pain or pain after surgery, including hernia surgery.
Shoulder, Neck & Back Pain
Chronic shoulder, neck, or low back pain that is nerve-related.
Pain Unresponsive to Care
Chronic pain that has not improved with medication, therapy, or injections.
Common questions about peripheral nerve stimulation
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses mild electrical impulses near a painful nerve to help reduce pain signals.
What is Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses mild electrical impulses near a painful nerve to help reduce pain signals.
Ready when you are.
Relief, One Nerve
at a Time
If your pain traces to a single nerve that other treatments haven't quieted, ask Dr. Nair whether peripheral nerve stimulation fits. The evaluation starts with one call.
Prefer to talk? Call (502) 995-4004, answered 24/7.
Medically reviewed by Ajith Nair, M.D., Founder & Medical Director at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed July 2026Updated