It is critical to keep your joints in good condition and reduce your risk of developing arthritis. If your arthritis limits your daily movements or activities, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Approximately 85% of knee replacement patients return to work within a year of surgery. Please answer a few questions to help us determine your eligibility. Understanding Knee Injury Disability Rating - Lawyer Serious complications, such as a knee joint infection, occur in fewer than 2% of patients. The SGA income minimum is $1,130 per month in 2016. The surgery is usually performed to relieve pain and restore mobility in people who have hip joint damage from arthritis or other conditions. Can I Join the Military with Spondylolisthesis? Joint pain can be mild or chronic, lasting weeks (acute) or months (chronic). VA regulation 38 C.F.R. It is not the only surgical treatment option for knee osteoarthritis, though. What Heart Problems Qualify For Disability Benefits? There are no absolute age or weight restrictions for total knee replacement surgery. These complications can lead to disability and a decrease in quality of life. For example, documented pain that . Knee replacement - Mayo Clinic To be eligible for Social Security disability, you must have a knee replacement. In a total knee replacement, the surgeon removes the entire joint and replaces it with an artificial joint. Most people under 55 or 60 recover from knee replacement surgery sufficiently enough to go back to work within a year (which means they won't qualify for Social Security disability benefits). If knee replacement surgery has left you unable to work for one year, you should be able to get Social Security disability benefits. currently receive social Security benefits? Employees who have knee replacement surgery should be aware that work restrictions can be imposed after the operation. Partial knee replacement surgery: Purpose, procedure, and risks Partial Knee Replacement: Is it for You? - Cleveland Clinic Approximately 2.5% of patients have a complication within 90 days of surgery. documentation that you had knee surgery on one or both knees (partial or total), evidence from your doctor that you have difficulty moving because of your knee problems, and. Pain, swelling, and stiffness. Three compartments are located in the knee: the medial compartment, the lateral compartment, and the Patellofemoral compartment. Because these procedures are elective . Or, if you are still recovering from a difficult surgery or surgeries nine or ten months later, Social Security may accept that you're going to meet the 12-month requirement. Many people are unsure whether arthritis is a disability. Although the pain will be unavoidable, it should not be too severe. Osteoarthritis. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Blood clots may form in one of the deep veins of the body. Infection. This surgery is performed on patients with severe knee arthritis (most commonly, osteoarthritis) to decrease pain and improve mobility, and it tends to have a high success rate. See the difference between the two surgeries. The basic eligibility to file for IU is that the veteran has one disability rated at 60 percent or one at 40 percent and enough other disabilities that result in a combined rating of 70 percent. If you meet these criteria, you can claim PIP by filling in a form on the Gov.uk website. DarrasLaw, one of the most prestigious long-term disability law firms in the country, handles tens of thousands of disability claims each year. Work restrictions are not uncommon, even after the majority of daily activities have resumed. Take special precautions to avoid falls and injuries. By submitting a request for a free evaluation, I acknowledge that I understand and agree to the disclaimer and privacy policy. Your doctor may use a combination of these medications to improve pain relief, as well as minimize the need for opioids. VA 100 percent disability ratings can be confusing You may continue to bandage the wound to prevent irritation from clothing or support stockings. Your range of motion will improve as you progress through your treatment plan, and your discomfort will decrease as you do so. Complications can occur as a result of a number of factors, including your age and health. Since knee surgeries have a high success rate, usually applicants must wait until a year after surgery to discover the long-term affects, if any, from the procedure, so youll most likely be approved with the expectation youre your condition will improve and the SSA will revisit your case sooner than other conditions. X-rays are a good way to diagnose psoriatic arthritis; there are no diagnostic tests for this condition. If you had a total knee replacement surgery and are currently unable to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits. You should avoid overworking your knees by combining rest and exercise. Osteoarthritis often results in bone rubbing on bone. TKR rehabilitation can be done through both half squats and deep squats, but kneeling may be uncomfortable for some people. Hip or knee replacement is a viable option. Your nurse may provide a simple breathing apparatus called a spirometer to encourage you to take deep breaths. It is less invasive than total knee replacement and can help relieve . What Are Signs That You May Be Approved For Disability? Urinary crystals are deposited in the blood by people with gout, resulting in elevated blood uric acid levels. In addition, your orthopaedic surgeon will explain the potential risks and complications of total knee replacement, including those related to the surgery itself and those that can occur over time after your surgery. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist will be able to provide you with exercise instructions following your surgery. In order to qualify for benefits via the Blue Book, you need medical proof that either of these apply to you: The SSA further describes their requirements as being capable of sustaining a reasonable walking pace over a sufficient distance to regularly perform daily living activities. There is a small chance that the ligaments, arteries, or nerves will be damaged. Keep an eye out for violations of permanent restrictions after knee replacement. Under any scenario that a veteran receives an initial 100 percent disability rating, the veteran receives a new rating . Sitting is the most dangerous position for your hips, knees, and feet. To assist doctors in the surgical management of osteoarthritis of the knee, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has conducted research to provide some useful guidelines. In general, patients are released from the hospital one to four days after surgery. The SSA will also examine the workplace and daily living limitations that your disability causes you to determine your Residual Functioning Capacity (RFC). If you are approved for benefits, your case may be labeled "expected to improve." ambulance is regarded as a disability benefit in the United States based on the ability to move effectively. (Right) The arthritic cartilage and underlying bone has been removed and resurfaced with metal implants on the femur and tibia. Quiz: Do you Qualify for Disability Benefits? Specific exercises several times a day to restore movement and strengthen your knee. While only 10 percent of replaced knees last less than 10 years, most last 20 years. Recommendations for surgery are based on a patient's pain and disability, not age. Subscribing lawyers and advocates are not employees, owners, operators or agents of this website. Contact DarrasLaw today to discuss your Long-Term Disability case with award-winning ERISA attorneys and ERISA experts. Most patients with chronic knee problems who go through surgery do benefit from reduced symptoms, but sometimes the improvement isn't enough to return to work. The knee joint, which is one of the most complex joints in the human body, is one of the most difficult joints to get properly fitted for. Most people who have total knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities of daily living. If your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. To determine your current capabilities, Social Security will create an RFC ("residual functional capacity") for youwhat you can do physically despite your limitations. A project at the University of Sheffield is also in charge of providing patients with information on their options. Let's start with the "complex" part of that statement. Walking can help you build endurance and strength because it builds muscle strength and endurance. You may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if you have joint pain or are damaged by arthritis, among other conditions. What are considered elective surgeries? The company is looking into a number of knee implant claims that show a higher than normal rate of failure, or that the implants have been recalled. Your RFC form should cover the following issues: Social Security will also want to see what treatments you have tried post-surgery, such as pain medication, physical therapy/rehabilitation, and therapeutic injections. The cost varies depending on many factors, such as your insurance, the type of surgery youll need, the surgical approach, the hospital the surgery is done at, and your geographic location. Cookies are used on our website, just like they are on other websites. Damage to the cartilage and bones limits movement and may cause pain. This surgery can be done when the damage is confined to a particular compartment of the knee. The inability to walk without help from hand-held assistive devices, like canes or walkers, to walk at a reasonable pace on a rough or uneven ground, to use standard public transportation, to carry out routine ambulatory activities, like shopping and banking, and to climb a few steps at a reasonable pace with the use of a single hand rail. You probably will be able to perform the exercises without help, but you may have a physical therapist help you at home or in a therapy center the first few weeks after surgery. Talk to your doctor to see if youre knee replacement recovery is expected to last 12 months or longer, because you may qualify for disability benefits. After knee replacement, patients with certain risk factors may need to take antibiotics prior to dental work, including dental cleanings, or before any surgical procedure that could allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Spondylolisthesis: Understanding the Condition and its Impact on the Spine. Most individuals filing for SSI only can't file the entire application online, but they can get started on Social Security's website. If you've had knee replacement surgery on a knee with degenerative joint diseaseor after a bad knee injuryand it wasn't successful, you may be able to get Social Security disability benefits. When replacing a knee, it is critical to avoid lifting too much weight. For the sedentary, light, and medium categories, the SSA has created a rule system, called grid rules that examine your work history, age, education level, and skills to evaluate the jobs that are available in your RFC level. First of all, the knee is one of the most fascinating and most complex joints in the human body. Is a total knee replacement considered a disability - Dizi Pada If you or your treating doctor are denied, delayed, or terminated due to a wrongful delay, we can work with you and your doctor to resolve the issue. In order to qualify for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must decide that an applicant is "totally and permanently disabled." This is done by comparing the applicant's symptoms to their disorder's listing in the SSA's "Blue Book.". Lower Extremity Major Joint Replacement (Hip and Knee) Most patients can begin exercising their knee hours after surgery. A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to strengthen your leg and restore knee movement to allow walking and other normal daily activities soon after your surgery. Although there are many types of arthritis, most knee pain is caused by just three types: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis. If you'd like help with your application, consider working with an SSDI expert. And if you take suffer from anxiety or depression due to chronic pain, Social Security should consider this in combination with your knee impairment. On the day of the operation, you will be admitted to the hospital. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee - Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) | American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (aaos.org), Severe knee pain or stiffness that limits everyday activities, including walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs.