Hip bursitis involves the inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the tendons and bones near a joint, most commonly the hip’s greater trochanter. This condition, marked by pain on the outside of the hip and thigh, can profoundly affect mobility and comfort. A diagnosis of this inflammation does not automatically qualify an individual for government disability benefits. Eligibility hinges not on the diagnosis itself, but on the documented severity of the resulting physical limitations. This article clarifies the distinction between a medical diagnosis and a legal disability and examines the criteria required for a successful Social Security claim.
Functional Limitations Caused by Hip Bursitis
A diagnosis of hip bursitis, particularly trochanteric bursitis, translates to specific physical restrictions that interfere with daily and professional life. The inflammation creates persistent pain, often described as a deep ache, which worsens with activity, prolonged positioning, or direct pressure on the affected area. This chronic discomfort leads to an impaired gait and reduced endurance for walking, which are basic requirements for nearly all forms of employment.
The physical demands of many jobs become impossible because of the inability to maintain static positions. Individuals frequently experience difficulty sitting for extended periods, as the pressure can aggravate the inflamed bursa, forcing them to shift positions constantly. Similarly, standing for more than short durations often exacerbates the lateral hip pain.
Movement-based tasks are also severely restricted, including climbing stairs, squatting, kneeling, and getting up from a chair. When conservative treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections, fail to provide lasting relief, the chronic nature of the pain and stiffness leads to a measurable functional decline.
The Social Security Administration Definition of Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates under a very specific, statutory definition of disability, which is the legal standard an applicant must meet. Under this standard, a person is considered disabled if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents them from engaging in any Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). This impairment must also be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or result in death.
Hip bursitis does not have a dedicated listing in the SSA’s official “Blue Book,” which details conditions that automatically qualify for benefits. Instead, it is evaluated as a musculoskeletal disorder, often considered under the broader rules for joint abnormalities or major dysfunction of a joint. The absence of a specific listing means the applicant must prove their condition is medically equivalent in severity to a listed impairment, or that it eliminates their capacity for all work.
The SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine disability eligibility. The first two steps assess whether the applicant is working above the SGA level and whether the impairment is considered “severe” and medically determinable. If the impairment is severe, the third step checks if it meets or medically equals a listing in the Blue Book.
If the condition does not meet a listing, the process moves to the final two steps, which focus on the applicant’s ability to work. Step four determines if the applicant can perform any of their past relevant work. Finally, step five assesses whether the applicant can perform any other work that exists in the national economy, considering their age, education, and work experience.
Essential Evidence for a Successful Claim
A successful claim relies heavily on comprehensive and objective medical documentation that links the bursitis diagnosis to the inability to perform work-related tasks. Detailed treatment records are fundamental, showing a history of conservative interventions, such as physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and injections, and documenting their failure to resolve the chronic nature of the pain. Medical imaging, like X-rays or MRIs, is also important to confirm the pathology, rule out other causes, and potentially show joint abnormalities.
The most crucial piece of evidence is the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment, which is a formal determination of the most the claimant can still physically do despite their limitations. The RFC translates the medical evidence into vocational terms by assessing the ability to perform physical functions on a sustained basis, including:
- Sitting
- Standing
- Walking
- Lifting
- Carrying
- Pushing and pulling
A treating physician is often the ideal source for this assessment, as they have the most complete understanding of the condition’s impact and its fluctuations.
If the claim does not meet a Blue Book listing, the RFC determines the type of work—sedentary, light, or medium—the claimant is capable of performing. If the RFC restricts the claimant to less than a full range of sedentary work, or if it is combined with advanced age, low education, and limited past work experience, the SSA may find them disabled under the vocational factors.