My mother has sharp pain in her groin left thigh that extends through her knee.She broke this hip 10 years ago the surgeon said all the cartilage is gone and that she needs a total hip, she is 95 years old.We tried pain management cortisone injections, several medications it has done nothing. Her pain is awful can anything else be done. Thank you, Jerry
Hi there, thanks for your question at Chat Doctor. Pain in the groin due to hip often radiates to the knee, as the nerves supplying both are same. With TH past history of injury, we can expect some kind of arthritis. Cartilage is a structure which covers the articulating bone ends(similar to the clothes we wear). Cartilage allows smooth transmission of forces like weight-bearing forces across the joint. When cartilage is destroyed, as in the case with your mother, the naked bone surfaces rub against each other with direct contact. This can be excruciatingly painful due to the exposed nerve endings. Total hip replacement is boon in such cases, as the rubbing painful surfaces are replace bey by artificial structures which do not feel pain. If the physician and anesthetist feels your mother is fit to undergo the surgical procedure I feel a total hip has the potential of making TGE remainder of her life pain free. Hope this helps. All the best. Regards.  Chat Doctor. .