PIP - osteoarthritis

malibusami86

Hi, looking for some guidance please.

I previously claimed pip - because of surgery,a grade II arthritis and knee injuries that mean I cannot work many hours and pip tops up my income. I recently told them that my consultant had said pain and damage I'm left with is permanent and can't do anything to help me. They decided that they wanted to do a reevaluation. I've filled in the form, returned and waiting to hear back.

Meanwhile, I've seen my new consultant today with Mri results, I have osteoarthritis in both knees, with some bone on bone. Given that osteoarthritis is degenerative and only likely to deteriorate I'm unsure whether I should interrupt the reevaluation process to update the again. I'm not even sure if they consider it to be an illness that affects your mobility. Does anybody have any experience or advice regarding this condition?

Thanks very much

Poppie68

PIP is awarded on the effect your disability has on your daily life and not diagnosis. Many people suffer from osteoarthritis as they get older but not all are entitled to PIP. As the problem exsisted prior to a diagnosis I'm assuming you have already included the effects it has on your daily life? Maybe worth giving the DWP a call to ask if supplying the information will be beneficial or wait to present it at the assessment.

meer53

I have Osteoarthritis in both knees and my feet. I've had operations on my knees and need the same on my toes to fuse the joints. I'm in pain every day but i work full time, i manage by taking anti inflammatory drugs. I don't think it's classed as a disability but would imagine the fact that you can't walk/manage to carry out daily tasks then you would be able to claim ?

dippy3103

I have OA also. I work full time. I have never applied for PIp or DLA, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't qualify

Poppie68

I have suffered with OA for 30 years after being diagnosed at age 17.... I had to finally give into the condition 3 years ago and take very early retirement...I'm riddled with it from my toes up to my neck, specialists have refused replacements for any joints because it wouldn't improve my condition and put too much strain on my body. I applied for DLA after I have up work but they refused my claim, I sent it for MR but again refused and was to unwell to take to tribunal.....4 months later I applied again due to further health and disability problems and 2 weeks later got awarded it without an assessment.
I don't know anyone who has been awarded it for a single or double joint but do know they managed to obtain a blue badge through their council if that's any help op?

malibusami86

I probably should have explained they I already receive standard rate due to previous condition, multiple surgeries and damage caused. Osteo is a new diagnosis in addition to this but wondering how serious they take it. I work part time as I physically couldn't manage more and am already in moderate to severe pain daily and it exhausts me! I've been on the verge of having to give up my job for a few months and am worried if it gets worse/when it does it'll tip me over the edge. When pain is bad I have to take tramadol in the morning which I feel unsafe to drive to work and function professionally.there have been lots of bad days lately. On a better day I take it after work. I've some bone on bone already but only in some areas which is why they won't replace (I'm 29) the arthritis has been caused by maltracking and surgery relating to this. My knees are a mess and it does have a massive impact on my mobility for example I can't leave the house without a walking stick and walking anywhere is very painful. Standing to cook is excruciating. I'm not trying to play anything up, i feel like I need to justify that I am genuinely struggling with this but think it's great that some are able to manage pain and work full time. I would love to change jobs and work more hours , it's very scary at my age knowing that so many jobs are out of the question because of previous damage too. Consultant has advised no standing,walking,driving jobs which limits career choice. Thanks for your replies

Finefoot

I suggest you point these out at your evaluation, with medical evidence from your consultant

sangie595

I have osteoarthritis, work full time (for now, retiring soon) and get PIP. Like you, the extent and location of the OA means that surgery is not an option. That said, if all this requires is a tramadol, they may not consider it serious enough as a condition in its own right yet. I only applied for PIP because my local authority won't issue a blue badge without it! Ridiculous I know, because that was all I wanted/needed. So yes, they do consider it but they may not consider it serious enough at this point in time. FYI, when they assessed me they paid a lot of attention to the medications I needed to manage - Marol twice a day (that is extended release tramadol), tramadol four times a day in addition, topped up with paracetamol four times a day; naproxen twice a day and gabapentin 600mg three times a day. All of which barely makes any difference to my mobility although it possibly takes the edge off the pain (the pain is constant) - I wouldn't know since I wouldn't want to stop taking them to find out!

micky2phones

sangie595 wrote: »

I have osteoarthritis, work full time (for now, retiring soon) and get PIP. Like you, the extent and location of the OA means that surgery is not an option. That said, if all this requires is a tramadol, they may not consider it serious enough as a condition in its own right yet. I only applied for PIP because my local authority won't issue a blue badge without it! Ridiculous I know, because that was all I wanted/needed. So yes, they do consider it but they may not consider it serious enough at this point in time. FYI, when they assessed me they paid a lot of attention to the medications I needed to manage - Marol twice a day (that is extended release tramadol), tramadol four times a day in addition, topped up with paracetamol four times a day; naproxen twice a day and gabapentin 600mg three times a day. All of which barely makes any difference to my mobility although it possibly takes the edge off the pain (the pain is constant) - I wouldn't know since I wouldn't want to stop taking them to find out!

Hi, im much the same as you i wear 2 pain killing patches, one 20 and one 5 , 6 gabapentin , 8 co - codamol and antidepressants (for nerve damage) a day for my aches and pains. I keep being asked do they help with the pain, no as im in pain 24/7 but i wouldnt want to find out how bad it would be if i stopped taking them

dippy3103

micky2phones wrote: »

Hi, im much the same as you i wear 2 pain killing patches, one 20 and one 5 , 6 gabapentin , 8 co - codamol and antidepressants (for nerve damage) a day for my aches and pains. I keep being asked do they help with the pain, no as im in pain 24/7 but i wouldnt want to find out how bad it would be if i stopped taking them

Me too.. I take tramadol, paracetamol & brufen plus amnitryptillin at bedtime (to relax muscles) to get through the day. My OA is too widespread for surgery. On bad days (like today) I struggle to walk and needed my son to help me dress this morning.

Alice_Holt

For any PIP claim it is worth getting information on the criteria for PIP assessments.

It is a points-based system centred on specific day-to-day activities and descriptors.

For a standard award 8 points are needed (12 for enhanced).

Info here:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

Aids and adaptions such as -
raised toilet, bath /toilet rails, grabber for putting on socks, electric can openers, etc
should score points.

Before you go to medical assessment, check how you score the necessary 8 points.
Have illustrations / examples in your daily life ready to tell the assessor.
Remember if you can't do the activity safely, repeatedly, reliably, and in a reasonable timescale for the majority of days, you should be deemded as unable to do it and should therefore be awarded points.