Can I Get Disability for Arthritis in My Knees? What to Know
To get disability for arthritis in your knees, your condition must prevent you from working full-time and be severe enough to meet Social Security's criteria. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes arthritis as a disabling condition under its Musculoskeletal or Immune System Disorders listings.
If chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling in your knees have made it difficult or impossible to keep working, it can be incredibly hard to support yourself and your family. Disability Insurance benefits exist to provide support when a health condition, like arthritis, takes away your ability to earn a living.
However, the application process is complex, and most claims are denied at first. Often, this happens because the SSA isn’t fully aware of the extent of each applicant’s disability.
This guide explains how the SSA evaluates arthritis in the knees and what steps you can take to strengthen your disability case.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in one or more joints. When it affects a weight-bearing joint like the knee, even basic tasks like standing, walking, or climbing stairs can become painful or impossible.
There are different types of arthritis, but a few are especially common in disability claims:
Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis): The most common form of arthritis, caused by wear and tear on the cartilage in your joints over time. It often affects the knees, hips, and hands.
Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks the lining of your joints, causing inflammation and joint damage. It can affect the knee joint along with peripheral joints in the hands and feet.
Psoriatic arthritis: Another form of inflammatory arthritis linked to the skin condition psoriasis. It can cause swelling, stiffness, and chronic joint pain in the knees and other areas.
Regardless of the type of arthritis you have, what matters most for a Social Security Disability claim is the severity of your condition and how it affects your ability to work.
Common Symptoms of Knee Arthritis
Symptoms of arthritis in the knees often start gradually and get worse over time. You may experience:
Chronic pain that worsens with activity or after long periods of standing or walking
Swelling and inflammation around the affected joint
Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
Reduced range of motion that makes bending or straightening your knee difficult
A grinding or clicking sensation during movement
Joint deformity or visible changes to the knee's shape over time
Severe fatigue that limits your energy throughout the day
Involuntary weight loss in some cases of inflammatory arthritis
These symptoms can make it extremely difficult to perform work tasks, especially jobs that require standing, walking, lifting, or bending.
Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis
There's no cure for most types of arthritis, but treatment can help manage symptoms and slow joint damage. Common treatments include:
Medications: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Many have side effects such as fatigue, nausea, or immune suppression.
Physical therapy: Exercises to improve range of motion, strengthen muscles around the knee, and reduce pain.
Injections: Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections to reduce inflammation in the affected joint.
Assistive devices: Braces, canes, or walkers to reduce stress on the knee.
Surgery: In severe cases, partial or total knee replacement may be recommended.
Even with treatment, many people still deal with chronic pain and physical limitations that prevent them from working.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Arthritis in Your Knees?
Yes, the SSA evaluates severe arthritis under its Listing of Impairments, specifically the Musculoskeletal Disorders section. Knee arthritis is commonly reviewed under Listing 1.18, which covers abnormality of a major joint in a lower extremity.
To qualify under this listing, you typically need to show:
Joint damage or joint deformity confirmed by imaging, such as X-rays or CT scans
Chronic pain and stiffness in the knee
A physical limitation that significantly reduces your ability to walk or stand for work
Medical records showing your condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months
Many arthritis claims don't meet the exact criteria of a listing. That doesn't mean you're out of options. Most people qualify based on what's called Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). RFC is an assessment the SSA uses to determine what work activities you can still perform, like sitting, standing, walking, lifting, or bending, despite your medical condition. This process helps the SSA decide whether your limitations prevent you from working any job.
For example, if your knee arthritis makes it impossible to stand for long periods, walk without a cane, or bend down to pick things up, the SSA may determine that no jobs exist that match your physical abilities. Factors like your age, education, and work history also play a role in this decision.
Other Listings That May Apply
Depending on your type of arthritis, the SSA may also evaluate your claim under:
Listing 14.09 (Inflammatory arthritis): For conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis that affect multiple body systems, including peripheral joints and the skeletal spine. This listing looks at major dysfunction of a joint, bony destruction, or fibrous ankylosis confirmed by medical evidence.
Related immune system disorder listings: If your arthritis involves an autoimmune component, the SSA may look at how it affects other body systems beyond just the knee.
Your healthcare provider and orthopedic specialists can help document which listing applies to your situation.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
Applying for Social Security disability with knee arthritis takes planning. One small mistake can lead to a denial. That means months of waiting to receive your benefits.
Here's how to apply effectively:
1. Gather Your Medical Evidence
This is the most important first step. The SSA relies heavily on your medical records to decide your claim. Make sure you collect:
Diagnosis records from your treating physician or orthopedic specialists
Imaging results, including X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, showing joint damage or bony destruction
Physical examination notes documenting reduced range of motion, swelling, or joint deformity
Test results, such as bloodwork for rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory markers
A complete treatment plan and medical history, including medications, physical therapy, injections, and surgeries
Notes on side effects from medications that affect your ability to function
Statements from your healthcare provider explaining your physical limitations and why you can't perform substantial gainful activity
The SSA needs as much information as possible to verify your condition and rule in your favor. Don’t leave any medical proof out.
2. Document How Arthritis Affects Your Daily Life
The SSA wants to understand how your condition limits your day-to-day routine. Not just your symptoms.
Be specific about what you struggle with:
Do you have trouble walking to the mailbox or standing long enough to cook a meal?
Can you no longer drive because of pain or stiffness?
Do you need help getting dressed, bathing, or climbing stairs?
Have you had to stop activities you once enjoyed?
Keep a journal or ask someone close to you to write down how your symptoms affect your daily tasks. This kind of detail can make a real difference in your claim.
3. Submit Your Initial Application
You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), depending on your work credits and financial situation.
You can submit your application:
Online: Through the SSA website at ssa.gov
By phone: Call 1-800-772-1213
In person: At your local Social Security office
Be honest and thorough. When describing your condition, don't just say "my knees hurt." Explain what you can't do—like "I can't stand for more than five minutes without needing to sit down" or "I can't walk to my car without stopping twice."
4. Prepare for an Appeal
Most first-time disability applications are denied. If this happens, don't give up. You have 60 days to request a reconsideration. If needed, your case can move to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or even go to Federal Court.
During appeals, new medical documentation, updated test results, and stronger statements from your doctors can strengthen your claim. This is also where having a disability lawyer becomes especially important.
Get Help With Your Disability Claim
Living with severe arthritis in your knees is exhausting. Chronic pain, limited mobility, and the frustration of not being able to work can take a real toll. The last thing you should have to worry about is navigating a complicated disability application process on your own.
A disability lawyer can:
Help you gather and organize the right medical records and test results
Make sure your initial application clearly describes how your condition limits you
Represent you during appeals and hearings
Communicate with the SSA to avoid unnecessary delays
At Impact Disability Law, we understand how much knee arthritis can affect your daily life and your ability to support yourself. We're here to take the burden off your shoulders and fight for the SSDI benefits or Supplemental Security Income you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the paperwork, so you can focus on what matters most.