What are remedies for constant leg pain that makes merely standing up for 15 seconds excruciating?

Has anyone suggested cortisone injections?

I have gotten amazing relief from my knee pain with these.

A wheelchair is the best remedy for your mother who is unable to stand up for more than 15 seconds w/o excruciating pain. If her doctors have no answers for this situation, then it's most likely pain being caused by her dementia rather than a diagnosable condition, I would venture to guess. With arthritis, xrays reveal the missing cartilage and or deteriorated bone.

My 95 year old (next month) mother has neuropathy in her legs for the past 20 years and says her pain is excruciating, despite the neurologist who says her neuropathy is not that bad. My mother's advanced dementia perceives her pain to be horrible, plus I believe she has a very low pain tolerance to begin with, so she wound up going into a wheelchair in 2019 after a hospital stay for pneumonia. The doctor recommended it due to her pain levels and how wobbly she was on her feet, and the fact that she was constantly falling & suffering from vertigo as well. She hasn't walked since then. She's still falling, though, and she's still saying that the pain in her legs & feet is unbearable, even though she takes lots of narcotic pain pills and Gabapentin every day. She also continues to fall; 49x since she went into the wheelchair. Dementia is an ugly and cruel affliction; that's the bottom line, in my opinion. A daily horror show about covers it.

I will say that my mother also is very sensitive to meds; she can tolerate Tramadol, has your mom tried that? Some elders can't take it, but my mother can. She's also used Penetrex cream on her legs/feet which she said helped her. You can get it on Amazon but it's quite expensive.

Again, after 20 years of trying, NOTHING has really helped my mother and her chronic leg pain. Now that she's on hospice, they'll be able to administer stronger meds when needed, thank God.

Wishing you the best of luck with what I know is a very frustrating situation.

Cdante, my Mom had arthritis, but it turned out it was her varicose veins that was causing most of the pain. That problem could be fixed, but my Mom always told her primary doctor that "no" she didn't have any pain... [sigh]. Just a thought.

This is a question for your Mom's doctors. They will assess the joints with xrays, and suggest exercises that may help, physical therapy if that is doable. Often, as this advanced age, total knee or total hip surgery just cannot be safely done due to possible side effects. Some seniors are helped with therapy but others may be down to the use of a wheelchair for some periods of the day.
The Forum really doesn't know your Mom or her conditions. Your Mom's doctor is the way to go and definitely ask for referral to orthopedic specialist.
So sorry there is so much pain for her at this time.

Does your mother live by herself? If so, is it at all possible that she fell and might have broken something, which would account for the level of pain she has? My mom has arthritis in her hips and knees but she can stand in one spot without "excruciating" pain. Not being able to bear weight is a little concerning. Has her doctor done any actual xrays? If not, this would be my next strategy. Without an image you'll be guessing all day. And if she does have an injury then none of what is suggested for pain on this thread will probably help her. Take her to Urgent Care and tell them she has dementia (per your profile info) and that you're not sure but you think she injured herself. Do not let her go into the exam room unattended at any point. You will need to be asking questions and making decisions. Even if there is no sign of injury and it is "only" arthritis, then at least you know you won't be on a wild goose chase for remedies. Good luck!

Have you tried....

Topical ointments like voltaren, myoflex etc?
Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, therapeutic touch and reiki, massage and chiropractic?
Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, fish oil?
Physical therapy?