Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony growths typically forming along bone edges, often in joints or on the spine. While common, especially with age, they are not inherently painful. Their impact depends on whether they press against or irritate nearby nerves, tissues, or other bones. This article explains how bone spurs can affect function and outlines the process for assessing disability and applying for benefits.
Understanding Bone Spurs and Their Impact
Bone spurs commonly develop from prolonged pressure, stress, or wear and tear on bones and joints. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where cartilage wears down, is a frequent cause, prompting new bone formation to repair damaged areas. Repetitive stress, injuries, or inflammatory joint conditions can also cause them. These bony projections are often found in the spine, heels, shoulders, hips, knees, and hands.
While many individuals have bone spurs without symptoms, they can cause problems when interfering with surrounding structures. Symptoms typically arise if a bone spur rubs against other bones, ligaments, tendons, or nerves, leading to localized pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. In some cases, particularly in the spine, bone spurs can narrow the space around the spinal cord or nerve roots, resulting in nerve compression. This may cause radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs. Bone spurs do not automatically qualify for disability; instead, functional limitations and symptoms impacting daily activities and work are considered.
Qualifying for Disability Benefits
For bone spurs to be considered for disability benefits through programs like the Social Security Administration (SSA), they must cause significant functional limitations. The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This means the condition must severely limit one’s ability to perform basic work activities.
Bone spurs are not explicitly listed in the SSA’s “Blue Book” as an impairment that automatically qualifies for benefits. Instead, they are evaluated based on imposed functional limitations, often falling under musculoskeletal disorders, major joint dysfunction, or spinal disorders. To establish a claim, comprehensive medical evidence is crucial, including diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) showing bone spur presence and location. Detailed doctor’s notes describing symptoms, treatment history (medications, physical therapy, injections, surgery), their effectiveness, and a physician’s opinion on limitations are also essential.
The SSA assesses an individual’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to determine what work-related activities they can still perform despite limitations. This assessment considers how pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, or nerve compression from bone spurs affect activities like standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, or maintaining balance. For instance, if knee bone spurs make leg extension or bending painful, or if spinal bone spurs cause arm or leg weakness, these limitations are documented in the RFC. The goal is to demonstrate the impairment prevents the individual from performing past work or any other substantial gainful activity.
The Disability Application Journey
Applying for Social Security disability benefits involves gathering comprehensive documentation. This includes all relevant medical records, such as diagnostic test results, treatment notes, and a detailed work history. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, or in person at an SSA office. It is advisable to apply as soon as symptoms prevent work, as a waiting period for benefits may apply.
After submission, the application moves to a state agency, typically Disability Determination Services (DDS), for evaluation. DDS reviews medical evidence and may schedule consultative examinations to assess the condition and its impact. Many initial applications are denied, often due to insufficient medical documentation or lack of clear functional limitations. If a claim is denied, an appeals process with multiple levels exists.
The first appeal level is Reconsideration, where a different examiner reviews the application. If denied, the next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), where new evidence can be presented and the applicant can testify. Further appeals can be made to the Appeals Council and, if necessary, to federal court. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of receiving a denial notice to protect the original application date. Persistence, thorough documentation, and legal representation are often beneficial.