Can osteoarthritis prevent a person from working? Osteoarthritis (OA) can prevent a person from working if symptoms are severe enough to limit their ability to perform their job duties. The extent to which osteoarthritis can prevent a person from working depends on: symptom severity.
Osteoarthritis is a long term disability, so being awarded an SSDI benefit gives you the financial support you need for years to come.
If you have severe osteoarthritis and are still working, your symptoms may interfere with your working life and may affect your ability to do your job. If you have to stop work or work part time because of your arthritis, you may find it hard to cope financially.
Everyone sometimes has to take time off from work because they feel unwell, so don't feel guilty. Stay in touch with your employers and colleagues and if possible, let them know when may be able to get back to work. After a long absence, a phased return is often sensible and easy to arrange.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and sometimes stiffness in the affected joints. The pain tends to be worse when you move the joint or at the end of the day. Your joints may feel stiff after rest, but this usually wears off fairly quickly once you get moving.
You could be eligible to receive help to make your workplace a more supportive environment or to find a new position where you can thrive in the workplace. Osteoarthritis is a supported condition under APM's Disability Employment Services.
Stay active, when you can
On the whole, the answer is "keep moving." Your joints were made to move. They need movement to nourish the joint and keep the muscles around the joint strong and limber. Doctors encourage their patients with arthritis to be as active as they can—as long as it isn't exacerbating joint pain.
Lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and exercise and reducing excess body weight can have the greatest effect on osteoarthritis. Developing relaxation and coping skills can help you maintain balance in your life, giving you a greater feeling of control over your arthritis and a more positive outlook.
Stay Mobile With Osteoarthritis
“As much as possible, try to change positions frequently during your working day,” says Kimberly Topp, PhD, professor and chair of the department of physical therapy and rehabilitation services at UC-San Francisco. If you're on your feet a lot at work, take frequent breaks to sit.
You may be able to work with osteoarthritis if your symptoms and its effect on your body is low to mild. However, if your osteoarthritis is so severe, that you can no longer do the daily tasks of your job anymore, you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Despite adequate treatment, some types of arthritis will still progress and cause joint damage eventually leading to loss in mobility. Significant joint damage, especially in the knees and hips, can lead to mobility problems and limitations that require a wheelchair and/or surgery.
It's also strongly linked to conditions that can cause long-term pain, such as fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica and complex regional pain syndrome. People with osteoarthritis have also reported having fatigue.
People with osteoarthritis are often expected to stop working because their disease has become too debilitating and restricting. If your osteoarthritis is making it impossible for you to work, you could be eligible for Social Security Disability payments.
If your arthritis is painful, you may not feel like exercising. However, being active can help reduce and prevent pain. Regular exercise can also: improve your movement and joint mobility.
Dos and Don'ts
Do some high-intensity exercises that might harm the joints. Maintain healthy body weight and body mass index. Stop taking medications. Wear comfortable shoes.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is known to be a painful condition, but there are many other effects of this progressive disease. These include stiffness and difficulty moving, and loss of muscle tone, strength and stamina.
Get physically active. Experts recommend that adults engage in 150 minutes per week of at least moderate physical activity. Every minute of activity counts, and any activity is better than none. Moderate, low impact activities recommended include walking, swimming, or biking.
Doctors do not fully understand why arthritis pain often worsens at night, but possible causes involve changes in the levels of hormones and cytokines, which are cell-signaling proteins, in the body. Daytime arthritis medication, which some people take during the morning, may also wear off by the evening.
Aim for 6,000 steps per day, and keep in mind most of us already walk 3,000 to 5,000 steps per day just doing our normal activities. Remember, it's OK to slowly build up the number of steps you take.
Therefore, someone with osteoarthritis may be eligible while someone else with the same condition may not, for example. Each person is assessed on their own capabilities and needs. You will need to provide evidence of your disability as part of your NDIS application.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) will cover services and supplies for osteoarthritis treatment if your doctor has determined that it's medically necessary. It may also cover treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis as a chronic care management service.
If your condition affects your ability to work, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You can claim ESA while receiving Universal Credit and other benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), but not while you are receiving Statutory Sick Pay.