Arthritis Social Security Disability Diagnosis

Arthritis Social Security Disability Benefits Minnesota

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Arthritis Social Security disability benefits are available through social security provided a claimant has a proper diagnosis and good documentation of work limitations. Arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because there is no single test for the disease. You will make your most convincing case if your diagnosis is either made or confirmed by a rheumatologist or specialist. Social security will give greater weight to a diagnosis made by a rheumatologist or other specialist compared to a family doctor or general practice physician.

How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?

Rheumatoid arthritis is best diagnosed or confirmed by a rheumatologist. Social Security will give the greatest weight to a rheumatologist’s diagnosis compared to a family doctor or general practice physician. Symptoms can differ from person to person and some symptoms develop over time. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause both joint deformity and joint inflammation. Doctors may use several different examinations and tests to diagnose your rheumatoid arthritis and also to rule out other conditions.

These tests include:

Medical history: The patient’s description of their arthritis symptoms and when and how they began. Good communication between patient and doctor is especially important here. For example, the patient’s description of pain, stiffness, and joint function and how these change over time is critical to the doctor’s initial assessment of the disease and how it changes over time. In addition, it is important to tell your doctor how your symptoms affect your daily life.

Physical examination: This includes the doctor’s examination of the joints, skin, reflexes, and muscle strength.

Laboratory tests: One common test is for rheumatoid factor, an antibody that is present eventually in the blood of most people with rheumatoid arthritis. (An antibody is a special protein made by the immune system that normally helps fight foreign substances in the body.) Not all people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for rheumatoid factor, however, especially early in the disease. Also, some people test positive for rheumatoid factor, yet never develop the disease. Other common laboratory tests include a white blood cell count, a blood test for anemia, and a test of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (often called the sed rate), which measures inflammation in the body. C-reactive protein is another common test that measures disease activity.

X rays: X rays of affected joints can reveal joint damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis. X-rays are not very useful in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis before bone damage is evident, but they can be used later to monitor the progression of the disease.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

No single test exists to diagnose osteoarthritis. The disease can exist in any joint although it occurs most often in the hands, knees, hips and spine. A variety of doctors treat osteoarthritis patients. These doctors include: primary care physicians, rheumatologists, orthopedists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Most doctors use a combination of examinations and tests to diagnose osteoarthritis.

These tests include:

Medical history:
The doctor begins by asking the patient to describe their arthritis symptoms, and when and how the condition started, as well as how the symptoms have changed over time. The doctor will also ask about any other medical problems the patient and close family members have and about any medications the patient is taking. Accurate answers to these questions can help the doctor make a diagnosis and understand the impact the disease has on your life.

Physical examination

The doctor will check the patient’s reflexes and general health, including muscle strength. The doctor will also examine bothersome joints and observe the patient’s ability to walk, bend, and carry out activities of daily living.

X rays

Doctors take x rays to see how much joint damage has been done. X rays of the affected joint can show such things as cartilage loss, bone damage, and bone spurs. But there often is a big difference between the severity of osteoarthritis as shown by the x ray and the degree of pain and disability felt by the patient. Also, x rays may not show early osteoarthritis damage before much cartilage loss has taken place.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Also known as an MRI, magnetic resonance imaging provides high-resolution computerized images of internal body tissues. This procedure uses a strong magnet that passes a force through the body to create these images. Doctors often use MRI tests if there is pain; if x-ray findings are minimal; and if the findings suggest damage to other joint tissues such as a ligament, or the pad of connective tissue in the knee known as the meniscus.

Other tests

The doctor may order blood tests to rule out other causes of symptoms. He or she may also order a joint aspiration, which involves drawing fluid from the joint through a needle and examining the fluid under a microscope.

It usually is not difficult to tell if a patient has osteoarthritis. It is more difficult to tell if the disease is causing the patient’s symptoms. Osteoarthritis is so common (especially in older people) that symptoms seemingly caused by the disease actually may be due to other medical conditions. The doctor will try to find out what is causing the symptoms by ruling out other disorders and identifying conditions that may make the symptoms worse. The severity of symptoms in osteoarthritis can be influenced greatly by the patient’s attitude, anxiety, depression, and daily activity level.

Fields Law arthritis social security disability attorneys will assist you in getting the correct diagnosis and documentation for your arthritis disability. Whether you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, if you are unable to work because of arthritis, we can help you apply for social security benefits. If you have been denied disability benefits we can appeal your case.

We offer a Free case review. Our Minnesota arthritis social security disability lawyers understand how frustrating it is to suffer from arthritis and be denied disability benefits when you are unable to work. There are never any fees unless we win your disability case.