Disorders of the spine are a specific kind of musculoskeletal impairment where the actual architecture of the spine can become distorted, impinging on and “pinching” nerve roots and even the spinal cord. As you might imagine, this is a disability that can cause people a great deal of pain, lead to loss of feeling or ability to move, or a combination of the two. If you believe that you or someone you love is suffering from a spinal disorder, have them speak with an experienced disability attorney as soon as possible so that they can be examined by a qualified physician.
There are a number of issues related to this impingement on nerve tissue:
Herniated nucleus pulpous. This disorder often occurs when a nerve root is impinged upon. Depending on the nerve root or roots that have been compromised, those afflicted will suffer from a specific “neuro-anatomic distribution” of symptoms.
Spinal arachnoiditis. Do you suffer from a sense of burning pain that you just can’t place? Is incontinence a problem? Do you feel wetness, pain, itchiness, or pins and needles when there’s nothing to explain those sensations? If so, it’s possible that you have spinal arachnoiditis, a condition where the arachnoid experiences “adhesive thickening” and can lead to incontinence if the cauda equina is involved. People can develop spinal arachnoiditis when nerve roots are being chronically irritated or compressed, and it is often related to cases of meningitis, spinal stenosis, or spinal trauma. Those who suffer from this debilitating condition frequently can’t stay in one position for long due to extreme pain.
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Lumbar spinal stenosis. Those with this condition experience bilateral weakness and pain in the thighs, buttocks, and lower back that makes it difficult for them to walk or otherwise get around. Unlike the sharp pain one might experience from a herniated disc, that associated with lumbar spinal stenosis is often described as more of a dull ache and typically appears after the individual has extended their spine by walking – or sometimes even just standing. Often the pain will be alleviated when the individual leans forward.
Other spinal disorders. This only scratches the surface of spinal disorders. Others you should ask your physician about include:
All of these can cause impairments that should be evaluated under 1.04. Abnormal curvatures can also cause additional problems outside of the musculoskeletal system, each of which should be evaluated under their appropriate listing.
What it boils down to is that people with assistive devices of any kind need to make sure that they are working with a doctor who knows the specific requirements for examining them. If you need help finding a physician with this kind of experience, talk to a Social Security Disability attorney. And if you have more questions you want answered now, download a copy of our free ebook on getting Social Security disability.
Next time we’re going to discuss maximum therapeutic benefit and how you can use it to help your claim. But be sure to check out our blog for more information on Social Security Disability!
- Spina bifida
- Osteoarthritis
- Vertebral fracture
- Tethered cord syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- Diastematomyelia
- Facet arthritis
- Abnormal spinal curvatures
All of these can cause impairments that should be evaluated under 1.04. Abnormal curvatures can also cause additional problems outside of the musculoskeletal system, each of which should be evaluated under their appropriate listing.
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What it boils down to is that people with assistive devices of any kind need to make sure that they are working with a doctor who knows the specific requirements for examining them. If you need help finding a physician with this kind of experience, talk to a Social Security Disability attorney. And if you have more questions you want answered now, download a copy of our free ebook on getting Social Security disability.
Next time we’re going to discuss maximum therapeutic benefit and how you can use it to help your claim. But be sure to check out our blog for more information on Social Security Disability!
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
