Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Hip Pain: A Case Report on the First Application in Morocco

Abstract

Hip joints are vulnerable to various disorders that can lead to severe, chronic pain. Conventional treatments typically offer only temporary relief. For patients who are not candidates for hip prostheses, radiofrequency (RF) nerve ablation may present a promising alternative. A 60-year-old man with stage 5 osteonecrosis of the femoral head presented with severe chronic hip pain. After declining total hip replacement, he underwent RF nerve ablation, resulting in a modest 20% reduction in pain. The limited effectiveness of RF nerve ablation is partly due to insufficient knowledge of hip joint innervation and nerve regeneration. In this case, advanced osteonecrosis further complicated the procedure by obscuring anatomical landmarks. Consensus guidelines and clear protocols for using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in chronic hip pain are essential for improving treatment outcomes.