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Arthritis is painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. A number of factors cause arthritis, including injury, age, obesity, excessive \u201cwear and tear\u201d, and infection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPatients with arthritis may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their arthritis may qualify for long term disability (LTD) benefits. The insurance company will review their claim to see if they qualify under the conditions of that plan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Arthritis is painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. A number of factors cause arthritis, including injury, age, obesity, excessive \u201cwear and tear\u201d, and infection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
There is more than one type of arthritis. In fact, there are more than 100 types of arthritis. However, there are two major types of arthritis \u2014\u00a0osteoarthritis<\/a>, which is the \u201cwear and tear\u201d form of arthritis, and\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis<\/a>, an inflammatory type of arthritis<\/a> that occurs\u00a0when the body\u2019s immune system is\u00a0not working properly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Gout, which is caused by crystals that collect in the joints, is another common type of arthritis.\u00a0Psoriatic arthritis,\u00a0septic arthritis, and\u00a0spondyloarthropathy\u00a0(joint disease of the vertebral column)\u00a0are other types. Lupus<\/a> and ankylosing spondylitis<\/a> (inflammation and fusing of the spinal joints), which are also considered autoimmune disorders, are also types of arthritis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Common symptoms of arthritis may include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Depending on the type of arthritis involved, a diagnosis may be established\u00a0through lab tests of the blood, urine or joint fluid;\u00a0via\u00a0imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound; or through arthroscopic surgery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In order to understand how arthritis impacts the joints, first one must\u00a0have an understanding of the anatomy of the joints. Cartilage is the slippery covering located on the ends of the bones where one bone meets (or articulates) with another bone. This flexible, connective tissue\u00a0this provides a bit of cushioning for the bone surfaces at the points of contact, absorbing the pressure and shock created from movement like running and walking. Cartilage also protects the joints and allows for smooth movement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The joint itself is enclosed by the joint capsule. A\u00a0membrane called the \u00a0synovium lines the joint capsule. The synovium secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint and to provide nourishment for the cartilage in the joint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Osteoarthritis\u00a0is caused by normal wear and tear throughout one\u2019s life, which causes a\u00a0reduction in the normal amount of this cartilage tissue. This causes the surfaces of the bones within the joint to grind together, which\u00a0causes irritation, swelling, and pain.\u00a0The natural breakdown of cartilage tissue may be exacerbated by an infection or acute injury to the joints.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The other common form of arthritis,\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis, occurs when the body\u2019s immune system attacks the tissues of the body. This condition is also\u00a0referred to as an autoimmune disease. These attacks specifically affect the above-referenced synovium, resulting in swelling in the tissues surrounding the joint.\u00a0As the swelling exerts pressure on a joint, the joint\u00a0may become enlarged or even\u00a0deformed. \u00a0Rheumatoid arthritis may\u00a0eventually damage and\/or\u00a0destroy\u00a0both bone and cartilage inside the joint and some of the tissues in or near the joints.\u00a0RA\u00a0typically impacts the smaller joints in the hands and feet. Other forms of inflammatory arthritis can affect and damage the larger joints in the body, such as the hips, knees, elbows, shoulders, and others.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The exact reason why\u00a0the immune system attacks has not yet been discovered, but scientists have discovered genetic markers that increase one\u2019s\u00a0risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Treatment for arthritis\u00a0varies,\u00a0depending on the type.\u00a0Exercise and\/or physical therapy may help to strengthen the muscles surrounding and supporting the affected joints for some patients.\u00a0For inflammatory arthritis, pain-relievers and anti-inflammatory medications may provide some relief. \u00a0In advanced cases, surgery may be required\u00a0to replace the joint. In the case of some smaller joints, surgery may fuse the joint together in order to immobilize it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis\u00a0can be\u00a0disabling conditions that may qualify you for long term disability (LTD) benefits. In establishing an LTD claim,\u00a0claimant with arthritis should submit evidence of the claimant\u2019s resulting impairments, which may include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This list is not complete. You should provide all evidence of how your arthritis limits your ability to perform work activity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If your\u00a0arthritis is so severe\u00a0that you are no longer able to work for a living, you may very well be entitled to receive long term\u00a0disability benefits. Because of the complexities involved with proving that you are disabled by this disease, it would be in your best interest to consult with an experienced long term disability attorney.\u00a0If your claim\u00a0is not handled correctly, your appeal may never be approved while your bills continue to pile up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n An experienced long term\u00a0disability lawyer knows how to obtain all of the proper documents and medical opinions to satisfy your burden of proof. Mr. Ortiz is an experienced LTD Attorney. He and his firm will work with you and with your medical team to maximize your benefits from the insurance company. Call (888) 321-8131<\/a><\/strong> for a free case evaluation if your claim has been delayed, denied, or terminated.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What is Arthritis? Arthritis is painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. A number of factors cause arthritis, including injury, age, obesity, excessive \u201cwear and tear\u201d, and infection. Common Types of Arthritis There is more than one type of arthritis. In fact, there are more than 100 types of arthritis. However, there are two major …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2224,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1602"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1602"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1602\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Symptoms and Diagnosis of Arthritis<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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How Arthritis Affects The Joints<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Treatment for Arthritis<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Long Term\u00a0Disability and\u00a0Arthritis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Your Arthritis Disability Case<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n