Knee Disorders
Knee Disorders
Some of the knee cases before the Social Security Administration involve people that need a knee replacement or people that have ha
d a failed knee replacement. Knee pain may be so great, the pain itself keeps the person from being able to work. If you are 50 years or older and have a serious knee disorder, then you are in a good position to present a strong case to the 
Social Security Administration. A serious knee problem can prevent a person from being able to stand for long periods of time or may require that the leg be elevated. These limitations may limit the person to Sedentary work. If you are under 50 years old, unless you have other health problems, it will be difficult to present a strong case to the Social Security Administration based solely on a knee problem.
Common Knee Problems:
| ACL injury | Tearing a ligament |
| Torn meniscus | Torn cartilage |
| Knee bursitis | Inflammation in the knee joint |
| Patellar tendinitis | Inflammation of tendons |
| Loose body | A piece of bone or cartilage floats in the joint |
| Dislocated kneecap | Bone that covers front of knee slips out of place |
| Osteoarthritis | Knee cartilage deteriorates with use and age |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Autoimmune condition that can affect knee |
| Gout | Uric acid builds up in the knee and causes arthritis. |
| Septic arthritis | Knee joint infection |
An opinion from the treating orthopedic surgeon concerning functional limitations is needed. Objective medical tests are needed to support the doctor’s opinion. One main issue that the Social Security Administration will focus on is:
| The inability to walk a block in a reasonable amount of time on rough or uneven surface, inability to walk enough to shop or bank, or inability to climb a few steps at a reasonable pace with the use of a single handrail. |
Tests used in Diagnosing Knee Problems:
| X-ray | Can detect bone fractures and joint disease |
| CT scan | Cross-sectional images |
| Ultrasound | Real-time images of soft tissues within and around your knee |
| MRI | 3-D images of inside your knee |
| Lab tests | Blood tests |
What Our Clients Say:
Member:
Attorney Gregory Kornegay
Greg is a trial attorney in Wilmington with over 30 years of experience. Greg was born and raised in southeastern North Carolina. Before law school he managed a store with employees making a payroll every week. His first job out of law school was as an Assistant District Attorney investigating and trying cases for the State of North Carolina. Through the years he has handled many different types of cases – including death penalty cases.
Being married with children has been a blessing and a challenge, but has served him well in understanding the problems individuals and families face as they live out their lives. Greg believes that each case is different and the needs of each client are unique, but there are certain themes of life that we all share.
