Thursday, August 29, 2013

Knee Replacements and Social Security


Before undergoing knee replacement surgery you should check with a good disability lawyer about Social Security and disability benefits. Social Security benefits are handled by State authorities, and not all States automatically treat knee replacement arthritis as a disability. You should be able to get benefits, at least for the duration of recovery from knee replacement pain, and potentially after. You will want to learn in advance what the application process is and what you need to do to get a disability award before you have the knee replaced.

It is possible you could qualify for Social Security assistance to help with the cost of knee joint replacement surgery. A panel for the National Institutes of Health reported the cost of total knee joint replacement pain surgery could often be less than paying Social Security benefits over the remaining years of expected life. They went on to say mobility and quality of life could be improved for 90% of the patients. If you have knee arthritis, even if you haven't undergone surgery, you could still qualify for Social Security benefits. You may even qualify for knee replacement arthritis surgery. Speak to a disability lawyer about the range of motion required to qualify and then have your doctor certify how much mobility you have (or have lost) due to arthritis.

If you have already undergone knee joint replacement arthritis surgery and the knee replacement pain is excessive or unbearable, to the point after six months you are still not mobile enough to walk without assistance, you can apply to the Social Security Administration to be classified as disabled. If you have been denied benefits, again, speak with a good disability lawyer. A skilled disability lawyer will understand what you're going through and the processes that will get you the benefits you deserve. They can guide you through the process, often filing papers on your behalf. Should you need to reapply they can do that too. Claims by people with attorneys are granted more often than those who file without the help of an attorney.

Disability is not an advantage, but if you are disabled due to knee joint replacement arthritis or a lack of mobility, you have a right to disability benefits. These benefits are designed to help make your life easier when faced with immobility from knee replacement pain. Don't let the pain and immobility of your knees keep you from getting what you rightly deserve.

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