My wife has been going through a very similar situation. She had a gluteus maximus repair, with pain continuing, then a hip replacement, with pain continuing. A doctor finally discovered a torn muscle that had been overlooked for so long that it was atrophied beyond the point of repair, so she was told that the debilitating pain would be something that would have to be managed the rest of her life.

Most recently she saw a physiatrist, who referred her to a nerve ablation specialist. Last week, after a trial injection of anesthesia to the nerve at the hip joint, she had a nerve ablation. She had very welcome relief the day after ablation, but the longer term effect won't kick in for 2 or 3 weeks. She has gone through a bunch of cortisone injections over the past several years, too, with no benefit.

The surgeon who did the muscle repair missed the second tear. The same surgeon missed the damage below my ankle when he did repair to my ankle, now requiring a fusion. Frustrating.

It's great that you are taking initiative in getting the appropriate treatment. Doctors can be dismissive, unfortunately. If one won't pay attention, you can try getting the tests and treatment from a different doctor. A physiatrist is a good resource, as they tend to look at the bigger picture than the other doctors who can get focused on what they think they know.

Jim