On Monday, we discussed fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); today we would like to talk about a similarly debilitation condition—osteoarthritis. The Mayo Clinic defines osteoarthritis as the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world.
“Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time”, the Mayo Clinic staff definition reads. “While osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips.”
According to the About.com Medical Review Board, made of up physicians:
- One in 2 people will develop osteoarthritis during their lifetime.
- The lifetime risk for developing knee osteoarthritis severe enough to cause symptoms is 45 percent.
- The risk for knee osteoarthritis rises to 57 percent among people who had previous knee injury.
- Each year, 632,000 joint replacements are performed due to osteoarthritis.
- There were 662,000 hospitalizations in 2004 due to osteoarthritis.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, which can be disheartening for those who are left unable to work by the condition. Because osteoarthritis limits a person’s mobility, it leaves many unable to stand, walk or sit for long periods.
In order to qualify for SSDI, a person suffering from osteoarthritis would have to show the Social Security Administration (SSA) that his or her condition will last longer than 12 months. For more information on Social Security disability qualifications, we suggest you visit our FAQ page.
If you have questions about an application for disability benefits, do not hesitate to contact our Tulsa Social Security disability lawyers for a free evaluation of your case. You may also reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability attorneys
Troutman Touts: According to the Mayo Clinic, 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis.
