What Causes Groin Pain On Weight Bearing On The Right Hip?

My boyfriend has been having very sharp pain in his upper groin. He has sharp pain whenever he puts weight on his right hip. When the spot it touched, he feels very very sharp pain and cringes. I don't know if I should take him to the ER, I am curious if this is an immediate emergency- The pain has been present for 8 months, but in the past 2 weeks it has gotten much worse, and in the past 12 hours it has gotten even worse.