Social Security & SSI Disability Benefits: Facet Joint Arthritis

Legal Author - Travis Hansen, Esq.
Updated - September 1, 2025

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Social Security's Evaluaton Of Medical Evaluation - Facet Joint Arthritis

General. Facet joint arthritis is osteoarthritis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal facet joints. The facet joints are located on the backside of each of your spinal vertebrae. When you suffer facet joint arthritis, the cartilage between the facet joints wears away or shrinks causing the facet joints to rub against the other facet joints above or below them. In severe cases, the arthritis will cause the facet joints to move enough that the joint will impinge (rub against) a nerve root which may cause neuropathy or radiculopathy.

Diagnosis. In reading your disability file, Social Security is first looking for your facet joint arthritis diagnosis. Facet joint arthritis is primarily diagnosed by CT or MRI though a MRI is better. If there is nerve involvement, an EMG is done to determine which nerve is affected and how severely. X-rays are common, but they are not very good objective views of your facet joints. If your medical record contains x-rays only, neither your doctor, and hence Social Security, will have a true understanding of your condition. If you have not had a MRI, push your doctor to have one done.

Symptoms. In your Social Security disability and SSI case, the administration will examine your symptoms, and it will only find that you are disabled if your symptoms are documented by your doctor and they are causing significant limitations. Typical symptoms are -

1. Pain;
2. Weakness;
3. Reduced range of motion;
4. Numbness;
5. Fatigue; and
6. If you have nerve root involvement, the nerve can affect an extremity - radiculopathy.

Treatment. Regular medical treatment is critical to your facet joint arthritis disability case because it tells Social Security about your condition. Treatment is typically pain medications, muscle relaxers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Facet joint injections and medial branch blocks (also an injection) generally have temporary or no success in limiting pain. In severe cases, surgery may necessary - Back & Neck Surgeries And How They Affect Your SSDI/SSI Social Security Disability Case. Any surgery will have a profound affect on your case.

Facet Joint Arthritis Social Security & SSI Adult Listing

The Social Security listing is Adult Listing 1.04A. You must have compression of a spinal nerve root and satisfy the following:

1. Significant symptoms of spine pain, weakness, and nerve involvement;
2. Arachnoiditis (excessive scar tissue); or
3. Stenosis of your lumbar spine and pseudoclaudication.

Helpful Facet Arthritis Resources

1. Cervical Facet Osteoarthritis Video - Spine-health
2. Medication and Drug Information (Searchable) - National Institute of Health

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