Question
My dad is 76 years old and had THR in 10/06.  He has continued to have pain in his left hip and buttock and down his left leg (the side with the new hip) and also pain spreading across into his right buttock.  The doctors don't know what is wrong and it is continuing to worsen to the point where he is in pain constantly and the hip is unstable and he is back using his walker.  What could be wrong?

Answer
First of all, let me tell you that I wish your dad well. I am sorry that he is going through all this pain.

Since I am not a doctor, I cannot diagnose, and it sounds like you are well on top of the situation.  Have you looked into possible nerve damage?  Have the doctor's measured your dad's leg length?  Sometimes if one leg is shorter than the other, that causes pain.  You say the hip is unstable and for that reason he has to use his walker, is the hip loosening?  

I hope I have given you some food for thought and I truly hope the problem is solved soon.

Sharon Davis