Is lumbar spinal stenosis a disability?

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 ...

Is lumbar stenosis a permanent disability?

Is Spinal Stenosis a Permanent Disability? If you have spinal stenosis, and it is serious enough that you are unable to work or perform normal day-to-day activities, it may result in permanent disability and you might want to apply for Social Security disability benefits.

How much does disability for spinal stenosis?

The amount you must earn to be working at SGA changes each year. For 2018 it is $1,180 per month if you are not blind and $1,970 per month if you are blind. If you are working, and your earnings average more than the SGA limit, then you will not be found disabled.

Can you work with lumbar spinal stenosis?

Lumbar stenosis can hinder your ability from performing any kind of job. Because of the severe pain and mobility issues, you cannot work construction, drive heavy machinery, or work for a utility company.

What benefits can I claim with spinal stenosis?

If you have spinal stenosis and it makes it impossible for you to work, you may be considered disabled by the SSA. If you win your claim, you are entitled to disability benefits. The benefits that you are most likely to receive because of your spinal stenosis is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Spinal Stenosis: Strong Evidence of Disability

What back conditions automatically qualify for disability?

What Back Conditions Qualify for Disability? The spine disorders that qualify for disability include herniated discs, nerve root compression, degenerative disc disease.

Is lumbar spinal stenosis serious?

Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause mild to serious symptoms, affecting daily life. While nonsurgical treatments are tried first, the patient may decide to have surgery if the symptoms are severe and cause significant dysfunction.

What jobs can I do with spinal stenosis?

Does spinal stenosis hurt all the time?

Spinal stenosis is generally not progressive. The pain tends to come and go, but it usually does not progress with time. The natural history with spinal stenosis, in the majority of patients, is that of episodic periods of pain and dysfunction.

Does spinal stenosis make you tired?

The primary symptom of stenosis at any site is pain and fatigue resulting from pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

What is considered severe spinal stenosis?

Symptoms of Severe Spinal Stenosis

When spinal stenosis progresses to the severe stage, that means there has been substantial narrowing of the spinal canal. This can occur due to several different factors, but is most commonly caused by degeneration of the discs, vertebrae and spinal ligaments.

What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?

Can you drive with spinal stenosis?

Back Pain and Driving

These movements can all negatively impact a person with lumbar issues. One back issue that can be negatively impacted with driving position is spinal stenosis. This is a condition where the spinal canal becomes narrowed and leads to crowding and compression of the spinal nerves.

What is the life expectancy of someone with spinal stenosis?

Answer: Yes, you do have to live with it for the rest of your life. However, many patients with spinal stenosis live life in the absence of pain or with minimal symptoms.

What can make spinal stenosis worse?

Diet and exercise

Diet and exercise can be considered for patients that have spinal stenosis who are also overweight. Because additional fat in the body presses down on the spine and makes it support more weight, it aggravates spinal stenosis and may even lead to the condition developing.

What is the difference between spinal stenosis and lumbar stenosis?

Spinal stenosis can happen in any part of your spine but is most common in the lower back. This part of your spine is called your lumbar area.

How can you tell if your spinal stenosis is getting worse?

Call your provider if you have symptoms of spinal stenosis. More serious symptoms that need prompt attention include: Difficulty or poor balance when walking. Worsening numbness and weakness of your limb.

Can lumbar stenosis cause hip pain?

Patients with spinal stenosis or lumbar spinal conditions can also have similar walking difficulties. Their problems usually manifest with hip pain—not in the front part of this hip, but mostly on the back or buttock part, so it's a different type of a hip problem.

Can stenosis be work related?

It most commonly occurs in the neck (cervical stenosis) or in the lower back (lumbar stenosis). Though some are born with it, the condition typically results from some kind of wear-and-tear or trauma, such as a work-related injury.

Can you live a normal life with spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis can't be cured but responds to treatment.

But Dr. Hennenhoefer says you can live a normal life with a spinal stenosis diagnosis and can work on improving your mobility and comfort. "Unfortunately, nothing can stop the progression of spinal stenosis, since it is due to daily wear and tear," said Dr.

Can spinal stenosis affect feet?

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

This lower back condition refers to the spinal nerve roots being compressed or choked, which may lead to referred foot pain symptoms including weakness, numbness and a tingling sensation in the foot.

Can lumbar stenosis cause paralysis?

If left untreated, spinal stenosis can lead to full paralysis and loss of bladder control. Your Bon Secours Mercy Health doctor can diagnose spinal stenosis with diagnostic imaging such as an MRI or X-ray. Many patients can be treated with nonsurgical therapies.

Is spinal stenosis a terminal?

There's no cure, but there are a variety of nonsurgical treatments and exercises to keep the pain at bay. Most people with spinal stenosis live normal lives.

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