The Social Security Administration (SSA) disability program serves many hard-working Americans who become unable to remain at work due to a “qualifying condition.” One such condition, spinal stenosis, can reach the point that it becomes a disability.
While many people suffer from chronic back pain, spinal stenosis is a specific condition that causes the contents of the spinal cord to become compressed. There are many causes for spinal stenosis. Sometimes the patient can live with the resulting pain and numbness, but sometimes the symptoms become severe enough to be disabling.
Here are some facts about spinal stenosis as a disability:
- Severe compression can cause chronic, debilitating pain.
- Functional limitations can arise from long-term spinal pressure on the nerves.
- These nerves can become so damaged, that the organs or muscles under their control may be affected.
- Sciatica is a specific consequence of spinal stenosis and can cause loss of function in the legs, bowel and bladder.
- Although surgery is recommended in serious cases, it may not cure the condition enough to allow a full return to employment.
- If spinal stenosis becomes serious enough, it may be necessary to prove that your symptoms prevent you from maintaining full time employment. Social Security looks to your medical records, xrays, MRI tests, and to your treating physicians, including orthopedic specialists to determine if you are able to continue working.
If your spinal stenosis has affected you enough that it has become a disability, then you should contact a Massachusetts disability attorney who can help you sort out the many important, but confusing, steps in applying for SSA disability with this disorder. Keefe Disability Law has helped many others just like you. Call us toll free today at 888-904-6847.
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If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 508.283.5500 to schedule your free consultation.