I, too, had no idea of these issues.

I have been in severe chronic pain for over 30 years. The level of pain has necessitated daily morphine and strong opioids for breakthrough pain for 20+ years. I have several very painful conditions pre-dating these conditions/findings and related discomfort.

I'd only started to experience hip discomfort in Oct. 2019., which I was quite sure was an injury. Knee pain followed shortly thereafter. (My rheumy had stated, "When the hips go, they go fast." I thought she was being an alarmist.!)

Almost all practices here have been bought out by the local university hospital/healthcare system. The system is now very backed up.. My appt with Ortho is in March.

There is an independent pain doctor who specializes in joint injections. I am trying to get in to see him as soon as possible. The x-rays will help a little. He has a lot of equipment which allows him to perform "guided" injections.
I hope to get to see him soon. (Many people in chronic pain of this type see him and swear by his expertise as source of significant pain relief.)

Forgive me, I am just thinking out loud as I strategize securing some degree of relief., while waiting on ortho.

(I anticipate finalizing a divorce settlement shortly, which looks like necessitating moving/changing residences, along with drastic changes in insurance coverage and in finances in general. .I currently have some degree of responsibility for my mom. I am also still tangling with the SSA re: recovering my SSDI income and benefits. I will admit, I am very surprised to have yet another challenge, or set of challenges, added to the mix just now. Yet, who knows how any/all of this will play out? I am trying to remain optimistic.)

Thanks again, to all of my wonderful friends here, for your support!