The pain of osteoarthritis can make almost any prolonged movement extremely difficult and uncomfortable. Some people may have to quit working or find a new job that allows them to earn a living without too much strenuous activity. However, some of the most common jobs require a fair amount of physical activity. This is why disability benefits are offered to those whose osteoarthritis condition prevents them from working. Contact a Philadelphia disability attorney today if your disability benefits application was denied.

Impairments of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis quickly destroys the tissues that act as cushions between joints. This creates great discomfort when people with this disease move certain parts of their body because the bones end up scraping directly against each other. In severe cases, some people develop bone spurs on the edges of their joints. Bone spurs can tear into ligaments, muscles, and skin.

The pain from this condition makes many people become stiff because they become accustomed to the habit of avoiding the movement of certain joints to avoid discomfort. This makes performing basic tasks, like writing or walking, challenging and can cause distress when done for a prolonged period of time. Working a job as a cashier, pressing buttons, loading groceries, or standing all day can build up after a while and cause significant pain.

Treatments for osteoarthritis may not always completely fix the problems that are involved. Doctors may prescribe medications to numb the pain, order surgery to place artificial cushions between joints, or use alternative therapies to help manage pain.

Obstacles to Disability Benefits for Osteoarthritis

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is who you will want to request disability benefits from. They use the Blue Book for categorizing types of disabilities. Knowing which category your condition falls under will save you a lot of time during the application process and may increase your chances of avoiding denial of benefits.

Osteoarthritis tends to fall under the category of joint dysfunction, but depending on where you have joint problems, your condition may fall under spine disorders. The joint dysfunction section will require that you are experiencing joint stiffness, pain, or decreased range of movement. You must offer proof by doctor’s notes or medical records that you have trouble walking or using your wrist or arm.  The spine disorders section concerns spinal cord or nerve root problems, spinal arachnoiditis, and lumbar spinal stenosis.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis applications are often denied, but this does not mean you have no hope of receiving benefits. A disability lawyer can help you pinpoint the reasons why your application may have been denied so that you can work together to provide what is necessary to have your application accepted.

Philadelphia Disability Lawyer

In some cases, your application may be denied because you were missing key documents, but in other cases, your application might be wrongfully denied. A Philadelphia long-term disability attorney can help you figure out what went wrong. Call Edelstein & Nelson at (800) 300-0909 for a consultation today. We have years of experience in filling out disability benefits applications and will work with you to find the right solution.