Any type of chronic joint pain is really nasty. My hip replacement happened this year at age 51, after almost 10 years of increasingly difficult pain. My other hip is ready for replacement, but I’m not sure I can go thru another one. I’ll try the cortisone shot routine, I guess, but if there’s no cartilage left (as shown on X ray), I have no hope of a cure. Maybe in your lifetime they will come up with some better anti-inflammatory or pain meds. I hope so.
Our 18 year old daughter has been seeing a Rheumatologist for 2 years now, since she was diagnosed with RA. He’s been a Godsend! I suggest you find one asap!