Rita Hancock, MD in Oklahoma City: Interventional Pain Management Near Downtown

Rita Hancock, MD operates an interventional pain management practice focused on injection-based treatments and medication management for acute and chronic pain, located in midtown Oklahoma City near the medical district. Her practice serves patients seeking alternatives to prolonged opioid use or surgery, with emphasis on joint, nerve, and spine procedures performed in-office.

What the practice actually is

Dr. Hancock's practice is a specialized pain clinic that combines interventional procedures with conservative management. It is not emergency care, post-surgical hospitalization, or primary care; it is physician-directed treatment for patients referred by their primary doctor, orthopedist, neurologist, or spine surgeon. The practice accepts both new and established patients and works within Oklahoma City's larger pain management ecosystem alongside hospital-based pain services at OU Medical Center and Mercy hospital system locations.

Services and pricing

The practice offers epidural steroid injections (common for lower back pain), facet joint injections and radiofrequency ablation (for arthritis-related neck and back pain), trigger point injections (for muscular pain), peripheral nerve blocks, and medication management. Most injection procedures are performed in-office under fluoroscopic guidance.

Costs vary by procedure type and insurance status. Epidural steroid injections typically range from $800 to $1,200 out-of-pocket without insurance (verify with the office, as pricing varies by location and provider contract terms). Radiofrequency ablation runs higher, around $1,500 to $2,500. Insurance coverage depends heavily on your plan and prior authorization; Medicare and most commercial insurers cover interventional pain procedures when medically necessary and properly documented. Consult the office directly before scheduling to confirm your specific insurance coverage and out-of-pocket responsibility.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City pain management options

Oklahoma City has limited dedicated interventional pain practices. OU Medical Center's Pain Management Clinic (within the Department of Anesthesiology) offers similar injection-based treatments but operates within a teaching hospital setting with longer wait times for new patients (typically 4 to 8 weeks). Mercy has pain services at multiple locations but often requires referral through their primary care network. Dr. Hancock's independent practice typically allows faster scheduling (2 to 3 weeks for established patients, 3 to 4 weeks for new referrals) and does not require you to be part of a hospital system for access. Choose OU or Mercy if you need integrated cardiology, oncology, or surgical services nearby; choose Dr. Hancock if your pain is the primary concern and you value shorter wait times.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This practice is suited to patients with localized joint pain, radiculopathy (nerve pain down the leg or arm), chronic back or neck pain unresponsive to physical therapy, and those seeking to reduce or avoid long-term opioid use. It is particularly useful for patients in their 40s and older with degenerative joint disease or arthritis.

It is not suited to patients with active infection at the injection site, severe systemic illness, uncontrolled bleeding disorders, or acute post-surgical pain requiring hospital monitoring. It is also not a first-line option for primary psychiatric pain conditions or fibromyalgia without structural findings.

What the first visit involves

A new-patient appointment runs 45 to 60 minutes. Bring imaging (MRI, X-ray, or CT scans if available), a referral from your primary care doctor or specialist, insurance cards, and a list of current medications. Dr. Hancock reviews your pain history, performs a physical examination, and may order imaging if not recent. If you are a candidate for injection therapy, you may schedule a procedure for a follow-up visit within 1 to 2 weeks. If medication adjustment is the first step, you will receive a prescription and plan for reassessment.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The practice operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (call to confirm current hours, as physician schedules change). Parking is available on-site or in nearby lots along the medical district corridor. Public transit via EMBARK bus service is available but limited; driving or ride-share is more practical. The office is wheelchair accessible.

Rita Hancock, MD fills a gap in Oklahoma City's pain management landscape by offering specialized interventional treatment outside the hospital system, making it a practical referral point for patients whose pain management goals are narrowly focused and whose insurance does not favor long hospital waits.