Is arthritis in the spine a disability?

If you have arthritis in the back or spine, it can cause severe pain and limit your mobility. Any kind of spinal condition can disrupt your ability to function on a daily basis. If you cannot work due to spinal arthritis, you may be able to qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

What spine disorders qualify for disability?

What type of arthritis is considered a disability?

You may automatically qualify for benefits if your arthritis is affecting your spine and compromising any nerve roots within the spinal cord. Arthritis should cause your spinal cord to experience widespread pain, limited flexibility, and inflammation that necessitates a change in positioning every few hours.

What happens if you have arthritis in your spine?

Stiffness and loss of flexibility in the spine, such as being unable to straighten your back or turn your neck. Swelling and tenderness over the affected vertebrae. Feeling of grinding when moving the spine. Pain, swelling and stiffness in other areas of the body (especially in inflammatory arthritis)

How hard is it to get disability for arthritis?

Overall, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is more likely to qualify you for benefits the more severe your impairment is. If your arthritis is consistent, untreatable, severely debilitating, and/or prevents you from earning a living for more than one year, then the chances you will receive benefits are high.

Spinal Stenosis: Strong Evidence of Disability

What is the most approved disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

What happens if I can't work because of arthritis?

If you have to stop work or work part time because of your arthritis, you may find it hard to cope financially. You may be entitled to 1 or more of the following types of financial support: if you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.

How serious is spinal arthritis?

Severe arthritis of the spine can sometimes lead to compression of the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain, numbness and limited range of motion. Decompression surgery – also called a laminectomy – removes a portion of the vertebra (lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and free up the nerve roots.

Can anything be done for arthritis of the spine?

Doctors often recommend physical therapy to help people with osteoarthritis of the spine build strength in the muscles that support the spine, reduce stress on the joints, and relieve pain.

What is the best treatment for arthritis in the spine?

Is degenerative arthritis a permanent disability?

Osteoarthritis is a long term disability, so being awarded an SSDI benefit gives you the financial support you need for years to come.

Can you get long term disability for arthritis?

Your insurance company will consider your arthritis a disability if your symptoms are bad enough that you cannot perform your job duties. Before your claim is approved, however, your insurance company will require evidence of your diagnosis and your ongoing symptoms.

Is inflammatory arthritis a permanent disability?

Inflammatory arthritis is a debilitating condition that often impacts one's quality of life and ability to work. However, simply being diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis isn't enough to be considered disabled. You are considered disabled when a condition limits your normal movements, senses, or activities.

Is it hard to get disability for back pain?

Back problems are one of the most common reasons people apply for Social Security disability benefits. However, getting approved for disability due to back pain is difficult because most back pain claims are based largely on pain.

Can you get a disability check for back pain?

If you have back pain that affects your ability to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict requirements for medical conditions, and not all back issues fall into one of those categories.

Is it hard to get disability for spinal stenosis?

Fortunately, lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the few back conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with an official impairment listing, meaning that those with documented cases of severe lumbar spinal stenosis are automatically granted disability benefits—if you can meet the SSA's tough ...

What causes spinal arthritis to flare up?

For most people, the flare risk increases when treatments are tapered or stopped. Other triggers include overexertion, stress, infection or poor sleep. “Disease-modifying arthritis therapies are NOT cures; they maintain patients (hopefully) in states of low-disease activity or occasionally even remission.

What should I avoid with spinal arthritis?

What does arthritis in spine feel like?

Tenderness of the affected vertebrae. Feeling grinding when moving the spine. Tingling, numbness, weakness, or sharp shooting pains in your arms or legs if nerves of the spine are affected. Headaches (when the upper, or cervical, spine is affected)

Can arthritis in your spine paralyze you?

Spinal stenosis can occur at any location on the spine. It is typically caused by osteoarthritis due to the aging process. If left untreated, spinal stenosis can lead to full paralysis and loss of bladder control.

Can arthritis in the spine cripple you?

Osteoarthritis (OA) can be crippling if untreated as it disintegrates the cartilage that supports the joints of the spine, knees, hands, and spine. This causes debilitating pain because the bones start rubbing against one another.

What kind of doctor treats arthritis of the spine?

Rheumatologists are specialists in arthritis and diseases that involve bones, muscles and joints.

Is it OK to work through arthritis pain?

Counsel for low-impact physical activities—Walking, biking, swimming, and water activities are all good non-drug ways to ease arthritis pain and are safe for most adults. These forms of exercise can also improve joint function and improve mood.

Should you work through arthritis pain?

If you have arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve your arthritis pain, function, mood, and quality of life. Joint-friendly physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury.

Should you work if you have arthritis?

If you have arthritis or joint pain, your condition may pose some challenges which could make your working life harder. However, work is certainly feasible for most people with arthritis or a related condition.