A knee replacement is evaluated under the reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint section, 1.03 of the Blue Book. As a general rule, the SSA considers a knee replacement to be a successful surgery, as most people recover within a year.

What are the limitations of a total knee replacement?

The possible disadvantages of knee replacement surgery include:

  • A replacement knee can never be quite as good as a natural knee – most people rate the artificial joint about three-quarters normal.
  • Most knee replacements aren’t designed to bend as far as your natural knee.

Is Total knee replacement considered major surgery?

A knee replacement is major surgery, so is normally only recommended if other treatments, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, have not reduced pain or improved mobility.

What knee conditions qualify for disability?

Major dysfunction of a joint due to any cause; Characterized by gross anatomical deformity (e.g., subluxation, contracture, bony or fibrous ankylosis, instability); and. Chronic joint pain and stiffness; with. Signs of limitation of motion or other abnormal motion of the affected joint(s); and.

Is TKR a disability?

If knee replacement surgery has left you unable to work, you could get Social Security disability benefits. If you have had knee replacement surgery on a knee with degenerative joint disease or after a bad knee injury, you may be able to get Social Security disability benefits—if you are unable to work.

How far should I be walking after knee replacement?

Although everyone progressed at a different pace based on numerous factors, some common timeframes are: 3 weeks after surgery: At this point, you should be able to walk for more than 10 minutes at a time, without a walker or crutches.

Why is my knee so tight after surgery?

Arthrofibrosis is also known as stiff knee syndrome. The condition sometimes occurs in a knee joint that has recently been injured. It can also occur after surgery on the knee, such as a knee replacement. Over time, scar tissue builds up inside the knee, causing the knee joint to shrink and tighten.

Can I get disability for a knee replacement?

What happens to Social Security benefits after knee replacement surgery?

Most patients with chronic knee problems who go through surgery do benefit from reduced symptoms, but sometimes the improvement is not enough to return to work. Social Security will evaluate problems following knee replacement surgery by looking at the following medical “listings” from its Blue Book listing of impairments:

Can you get Social Security disability if you have knee problems?

However, for those people with more long-term knee problems, a disability award is possible. In addition to helping you determine if your condition might qualify you for benefits, a qualified Social Security lawyer or disability advocate can guide you through the disability application process.

Can you work if you have knee replacement?

However, even work that is labeled sedentary can require up to two hours a day of walking or standing, so you may not be able to go back to your prior job if your doctor says you can’t walk or stand for up to two hours every day. If Social Security agrees, it will grant you benefits.

How long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery?

Recovery time generally varies from a few weeks to a few months. Social Security disability and SSI disability benefits are available only to those who are unable to work for at least a year. Most people under 60 or 65 recover from knee replacement surgery sufficiently enough to go back to work within a year.