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degenerative cervicoarthritis

Also called cervical osteoarthritis, it is a condition that occurs when cartilage degenerates along the cervical spine, and is the cause of many consultations with disability lawyers. It is especially common after fifty years of age and often presents as asymptomatic, so it can be dangerous. When you do have symptoms, they are usually:

  • Pain in the neck
  • Rigidity
  • Fatigue and claudication in the legs
  • tingling and stinging
  • Sphincter problems, in the most serious cases

Cervical osteoarthritis C5 – C6 – C7

Above all, cervicoarthritis occurs at these levels of intervertebral discs, since they are the most mobile segments and are located in the area of greatest lordosis (inward curvature of the lumbar spine). It is also associated with the so-called uncoarthrosis, in which the junction hole through which the nerves emerge is compromised. This pathology can occur in two types:

  1. Idiopathic: that is, the cause is unknown
  2. Secondary: consequence of trauma, infection, congenital malformation, etc.

Cervical arthrosis with osteophytes

Osteophytes, bone spurs or “parrot beaks”, form in the bones, and in the case of cervicoarthrosis, in the spine. Although they can go unnoticed and do not cause any symptoms, it may happen that they do cause pain and the other manifestations that we have already mentioned.

In most cases, this bone overgrowth can be controlled conservatively, without surgical treatment. If they invade a nerve or spinal cord, spinal decompression surgery may be necessary.
severe cervical osteoarthritis

In the mildest cases, many times there are no symptoms, as we said before. In the most severe and serious cases, an operation can be considered to decompress and release the nerves. In these cases, if they substantially limit the patient’s work, it is possible to achieve permanent work disability, as we will see below.

Cervical osteoarthritis incapacity for work

In certain cases, the patient with cervicoarthritis will be subject to work disability. They will be the cases in which the worker sees his abilities limited in such a way that he cannot practice his usual profession. In order to assess this, the most important thing is the medical reports, which reflect all the pathologies and limitations of the worker. If these reports come from specialists, such as traumatologists or rheumatologists, much better. Clinical tests (x-rays, analysis…) are also essential tests to grant disability.

Court review cervicoarthrosis

For the review by the court, the procedure is the same: the worker will go through the Medical Court and it will be decided whether he should continue with the disability or not. If this is not the case, a prior administrative claim must be filed, and if applicable, go to trial. For this, the study of medical reports is especially important.
cervicoarthrosis handicap

As with incapacity for work, in order to obtain disability, medical reports are necessary. In this case, the benefits of getting the disability are of another type:

  • Access to employment for people with disabilities
  • Fiscal benefits
  • Adaptation of the workplace
  • Access to public protection housing
  • Subsidies (rehabilitation treatments, support products, accessibility and home adaptations, etc.)
  • Early retirement
  • family benefits
  • Reductions in means of transport
  • other aid

Cervical osteoarthritis occupational disease

Being a pathology that affects precisely the spine, it is one of the most frequent occupational diseases. Mainly in physical and mechanical jobs: stock clerk, warehouse boy, removal laborer, worker, or even security guard, being on their feet for many hours. In these trades, the vertebrae of the neck and back suffer great wear. But it is essential to prove the relationship between the ailment and its professional origin. A lawyer specializing in disabilities and Labor Law is the best option for advice on these issues. At Despacho Toro, the first visit is free and the feasibility analysis is free of charge.

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