Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyers

Musculoskeletal System Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) refer to a range of conditions that can affect all areas of the body, including the neck, shoulders, back, wrists, legs, and knees. Some people can get through most days without experiencing any symptoms, while others experience extreme pain that can make even the simplest daily tasks difficult, if not impossible.

Many MSDs are very common and with most, they become worse with age. While muscles, bones and joints break down as part of the aging process, taking care of your body can help slow the process. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), low back pain often affects adults who are only in their 30s.

The treatment for MSDs depends on the severity of the disorder. While over-the-counter medications or physical therapy can help alleviate the symptoms for some disorders, other may require more advanced treatment options including prescriptions and surgery.

The following are examples of some of the most common musculoskeletal disorders:

  • Amputation: The removal of a limb is often result of a severe trauma, an illness, or a surgical measure done in order to control the progression of disease.
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis: This debilitating inflammatory disease causes some of the vertebrae in the spine to fuse together, causing a hunched posture and loss of flexibility in the spine. It can cause difficulty breathing if the ribs are affected. There is no cure for this condition and it typically affects men more than women.
  • Back Pain: There are numerous factors that can cause back pain ranging from muscle strains or the displacement of an intervertebral disc to an illness or injury.
  • Bone Fractures: When a person experiences a loss of bone density, the skeleton becomes weakened, which can result in bones fractures.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: People who spend a great deal of time performing tasks like typing or painting may develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which occurs when the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm of your hand becomes squeezed at the wrist. This can cause pain, tingling, and weakness when grasping an object.
  • Fibromyalgia: This chronic, debilitating disorder, which is typically more common in women than in men, can cause a range of symptoms from pain and fatigue, to tenderness and stiff of the muscles.
  • Herniated Disk: This condition occurs when some of the soft, inner center of the spinal disk pushes through a crack in the outer exterior. When herniated disk irritates the nerves close to the spine, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness.
  • Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint condition affects weight-bearing joins, including the hips, knees, ankles, and spine. Those who suffer from this condition tend to initially experience pain in one or more of those joints after some type of activity. The pain will worsen as the disease progresses.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries (Burns): This type of injury is often the result of coming in contact with fire, chemicals, hot liquids, overexposure to the sun, electricity, or radiation. Burns can be extremely painful and result in the loss of skin, swelling, pain, and blistering. If the damage to the tissue is severe, the person could develop a serious infection or go into shock.
  • Spinal Cord Injury: This type of injury occurs when the spinal cord, or the nerves at the end of the spinal cord, are damaged. This could result from a trauma that dislocates vertebrae, or causes a piece of the vertebrae to tear the cord tissue or pinch a nerve. A complete spinal cord injury means the person will be paralyzed below the location of injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury means that the person will have some movement below the injury.

Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Those Suffering from Musculoskeletal Disorders

If you or a loved one is suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder or other disabling health condition and you are wondering if you quality for Social Security disability benefits, contact the experienced Baltimore Social Security disability lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will thoroughly review your case and determine the best course of action to secure the maximum benefits. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.