Spinal Arachnoiditis
Spinal Arachnoiditis and Social Security Disability Benefits
Spinal Arachnoiditis is a condition involving inflammation of the arachnoid, which is a membrane that surrounds and protects the nerves of the spinal cord. The symptoms include numbness/tingling, severe burning pain, and muscle cramps; in most cases the symptoms are isolated to affect the lower back and legs. Over time, the symptoms can progressively become more intense. There is no cure for spinal arachnoiditis but there are treatment methods to reduce pain.
The pain alone can incapacitate an individual to the point where they cannot perform even the most mundane of activities. Also, weakness in the legs can prevent individuals from walking or standing for extended periods of time.
Spinal Arachnoiditis and Social Security Disability Benefits Help
If the applicant’s impairment falls within any of the following categories set forth by Social Security’s Listing 1.04, then a strong claim may exist. The Listing is as follows;
- Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss and, if there is involvement of the lower back, positive straight-leg raising test (sitting and supine); or
- Spinal Arachnoiditis, confirmed by an operative note or pathology report of tissue biopsy, or by appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by severe burning or painful dysesthesia, resulting in the need for changes in position or posture more than once every 2 hours; or
- Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in psuedoclaudication, established by findings on appropriate medically acceptable imaging , manifested by chronic nonradicular pain and weakness, and resulting in inability to ambulate effectively, as defined in 1.00B2b.
The issues with the lower back and legs (numbness and general weakness) hinder a person from walking or standing. This alone makes work very difficult. The severe pain the illness causes may also prove cumbersome, and will make work that much more difficult.
