Worn Hips

[Astro1]

Just wondering if anyone with worn hips has been awarded more than 15 points for ESA or won at Tribunal?

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I hope we can help you, but I think we probably need a bit more information from you if you are able to tell us please.

 

My best, HB

[Nystagmite]

It depends on how this affects your ability to work.

[Astro1]

The main parts are: Both of my hips are worn due to Bilateral Perthe's Disease which i had when i was younger but didn't know about.

Osteoarthritis in one hip.

Osteoarthritis in the Lubosacral spine with some degenerative changes and Sciatica.

I also did the upper middle part of my back in, which causes problems but haven't had it seen to.

My walking speed is about 1mph

 

 

I have been assessed by a Qualified Orthopedic Surgeon and by a Associate Specialist in Orthopedics over 10 years ago. The only option is hip replacements but because of my age it wouldn't be feasable to have them replaced due the amount of times they'd need replacing again over my lifetime. Since then my condition has got worse.

The results at the time were:

Hip Flexation left hip: abt. 80°

Hip Flexation right hip: abt. 100°

External Rotation left hip 10°

External Rotation right hip 30°

 

The ATOS assesment was carried out by a registered nurse in mental health which i scored 0 points.

The results were:

Hip Flexation left hip: 130° normal.

Hip Flexation right hip: 130° normal.

External Rotation left hip 45° normal

External Rotation right hip 45° normal.

 

Her opinion was that a return to work could be considered within three months and that i would be able to self propel a wheelchair if needed.

 

Since i did my lower back in and found out about my hips, i've always qualified for Invalidity and Incapacity, only once did i have to go a tribunal which i won.

When Atos scored me 0 points, i went to get a 'fit note' from my doctor but he wasn't available and i saw another doctor who i'd not seen before. I told her that i'd scored 0 points, she went to find my medical notes, when she came back with them she said that the assessment was categorically wrong.

[Astro1]

It depends on how this affects your ability to work.

 

I wish i was normal again and able to go to work. I wouldn't need to go to Jobcenter+++ to get work.

[grahamengineering]

On this occasion I feel ATOS made the right call. They look at are you capable of work, not at how you feel about your illness. I dont know how many points are awarded per ailment. But in all fairness people in wheelchairs can work so there is no reason why you cannot.

 

Not wishing to sound unsympathetic OP, but you are actually one of the people the governement is aiming at with their current plans. Just so you don't think I am being unsympathetic, I too have 2 pretty much knackered knees with osteoarthritis and back pain due to compensating one leg over the other. While my problems are not just as bad as yours, there are days I can barely walk and spend many nights awake with pain. But I personally feel if I am capable of some work then I should be doing it and not depending on the state.

[antone]

Graham, the issue is broader than that. It's insufficient, in my opinion, to say "This person could conceivably do some sort of work." I'm sure that's true. But that doesn't mean that suitable work is available, or that the average employer would be willing to hire a person with health problems to do said work when healthy 20-somethings are queuing up at the Jobcentre for the their JSA. In better times, perhaps the government's approach would be somewhat defensible, although I'm not certain. But these are certainly not "better times".

[antone]

To the OP, if your GP feels the assessment is completely wrong, then I think you need to appeal the decision. I'm afraid I can't say what your chances of success would be, but I would say that you should focus (when making your appeal) less on the specific nature of your condition and more on how it could affect your ability to work.

 

Site Team member Honeybee13 has made a sticky thread on how to approach this process, and you can find it here.

[45002]

On this occasion I feel ATOS made the right call. They look at are you capable of work, not at how you feel about your illness. I dont know how many points are awarded per ailment. But in all fairness people in wheelchairs can work so there is no reason why you cannot.

 

Not wishing to sound unsympathetic OP, but you are actually one of the people the governement is aiming at with their current plans. Just so you don't think I am being unsympathetic, I too have 2 pretty much knackered knees with osteoarthritis and back pain due to compensating one leg over the other. While my problems are not just as bad as yours, there are days I can barely walk and spend many nights awake with pain. But I personally feel if I am capable of some work then I should be doing it and not depending on the state.

 

You think the ATOS made the right call

 

Are you qualified in Orthopedics,the person who did the medical on Arsto 1 was a registered nurse in mental health !

 

And what makes you think wheelchairs user can all work !

 

 

Arsto 1 you should appeal against ATOS decision ASAP.

 

People on the forum will be glad to advise you on how to appeal...

 

Good Luck...

Edited January 23, 2012 by 45002

[Nystagmite]

On this occasion I feel ATOS made the right call. They look at are you capable of work, not at how you feel about your illness. I dont know how many points are awarded per ailment. But in all fairness people in wheelchairs can work so there is no reason why you cannot.

 

Not wishing to sound unsympathetic OP, but you are actually one of the people the governement is aiming at with their current plans. Just so you don't think I am being unsympathetic, I too have 2 pretty much knackered knees with osteoarthritis and back pain due to compensating one leg over the other. While my problems are not just as bad as yours, there are days I can barely walk and spend many nights awake with pain. But I personally feel if I am capable of some work then I should be doing it and not depending on the state.

 

Are you medically qualified and know the OP's full situation? Not everyone (me included) says on a forum what all their problems are. Knee pain is completely different to hip pain.

[grahamengineering]

I knew what I said would be be controversial. But the remit for ATOS or the previous system either in that case, is to determine is the OP fit to work. It doesn't mean you have to be fit for your previous employment, It means you are fit to do some kind of work. I'm sure as the OP is sitting all day then she could conceivably do call centre work for instance. Be realistic guys, if Stephen Hawkings can work while unable to move at all then so can the OP.

 

I totally agree astone a system where the OP is graduated into emplyment would be better. As I understand these schemes are in place with back to work groups for those on incapacity. While the OP probably doesn't feel it just now, Being given the encouragement to do some work, be it only 16 hours a week even will give them motivation and self worth. How do I know this? I was on long term sick leave at one point.

[Nystagmite]

I knew what I said would be be controversial. But the remit for ATOS or the previous system either in that case, is to determine is the OP fit to work. It doesn't mean you have to be fit for your previous employment, It means you are fit to do some kind of work. I'm sure as the OP is sitting all day then she could conceivably do call centre work for instance. Be realistic guys, if Stephen Hawkings can work while unable to move at all then so can the OP.

 

I have (for reasons unknown) hip problems at the moment. Sitting down is far more painful. What Stephen Hawking has is completely different. He is also lucky enough to be able to afford the carers and equipment he has.

 

Your comments are uncalled for. None of us know the full extent of the OP's disability. I used to know someone who has problems with her hips and pelvis who didn't work. Why? Because she's also deaf and has severe problems with her hands.

[45002]

I knew what I said would be be controversial. But the remit for ATOS or the previous system either in that case, is to determine is the OP fit to work. It doesn't mean you have to be fit for your previous employment, It means you are fit to do some kind of work. I'm sure as the OP is sitting all day then she could conceivably do call centre work for instance. Be realistic guys, if Stephen Hawkings can work while unable to move at all then so can the OP.

 

I totally agree astone a system where the OP is graduated into emplyment would be better. As I understand these schemes are in place with back to work groups for those on incapacity. While the OP probably doesn't feel it just now, Being given the encouragement to do some work, be it only 16 hours a week even will give them motivation and self worth. How do I know this? I was on long term sick leave at one point.

 

You havant a bleeding clue have you...

 

You really havnt a clue what damage ATOS are doing to the genuine people that cant work,you only have to read the thread this forum and forums around the net.

 

Serious ill and Serious disabled people are been told they are fit for full time work by a nurse,only to appeal,wait a year or so for there appeal and then Win there appeal...

 

And the disabled people who want to work (Yes it's true there are disabled people who want to work) there NO really support for them,just dead end jobs,that's if they can find a Job.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Graham's reply is so unfair - and shows to me, how we judge what people can and cannot do, or should be able to do, on a few words or looks.

 

I suffer from depression, to the outside World I look perfectly well, that I struggle on days to even be bothered to brush my hair, hardly want to go out, accept if for doctors, councillor etc, I do not bother.

Every day I have to tell myself that life is worth living, I sure as hell don't feel it is - especially when being ill is now seen as a crime, or a way to get out of working.

I am not scrounger call us what you will, I am ill, and I need help, as do many of us, for all sorts of different reasons.

 

I cannot imagine being in a wheelchair, and I wish that lady and others like her well...

I wish anyone who is ill all the luck in the world, because we are going to need it.

 

If you want to call us 'work shy' or whatever other name - then please do us the courtesy of getting to know us first.

 

Lilly

[queensclose]

if you think it was unfair then appeal. but remember with atos. its not whats wrong with you but what you say at the assessment. you could be bed bound. but say the wrong thing and your fit for work. there are plenty of stickys on here to guide you through

[Astro1]

Thank you for the replies.

 

I came onto the forum and asked a simple question. "Just wondering if anyone with worn hips has been awarded more than 15 points for ESA or won at Tribunal?"

honeybee13, One of the site team, asked for a bit more information, which i provided.

The question i asked, or the information i provided seems to have rattled someone's cage, as it looks the thread has been infiltrated by one of the government's Candymen.

[queensclose]

The simple answer is yes you can get 15 points with worn hips

[Nystagmite]

The simple answer is yes you can get 15 points with worn hips

 

But it depends on the problems worn hips cause and how that stops someone from working,

[grahamengineering]

Graham's reply is so unfair - and shows to me, how we judge what people can and cannot do, or should be able to do, on a few words or looks.

 

I suffer from depression, to the outside World I look perfectly well, that I struggle on days to even be bothered to brush my hair, hardly want to go out, accept if for doctors, councillor etc, I do not bother.

Every day I have to tell myself that life is worth living, I sure as hell don't feel it is - especially when being ill is now seen as a crime, or a way to get out of working.

I am not scrounger call us what you will, I am ill, and I need help, as do many of us, for all sorts of different reasons.

 

I cannot imagine being in a wheelchair, and I wish that lady and others like her well...

I wish anyone who is ill all the luck in the world, because we are going to need it.

 

If you want to call us 'work shy' or whatever other name - then please do us the courtesy of getting to know us first.

 

Lilly

 

Actually lily, I know far more than you think about the subject. I too suffer from depression and anxiety. At one point I was unable to leave the house for over 6 months, so please dont be quite so presumptious. In my case getting back into the workplace on part time hours was what made my illness considerably better. when you sit at home with nobody to talk to and nothing to do you have nothing else to focus on other than your illness.

 

Now going back to the question at hand. ATOS do not only look at how the disability affects you or how you feel it affects you. Its remit is to look at are you capable to do some sort of work.

Now in most cases it probably isn't the type of work they would of gone to through choice. But if a person is capable of paying for themself in some way instead of the taxpayer, do you think that to be unfair?

[Nystagmite]

Actually lily, I know far more than you think about the subject. I too suffer from depression and anxiety. At one point I was unable to leave the house for over 6 months, so please dont be quite so presumptious. In my case getting back into the workplace on part time hours was what made my illness considerably better. when you sit at home with nobody to talk to and nothing to do you have nothing else to focus on other than your illness.

 

Your depression isn't the same as everyone elses.

[grahamengineering]

Your depression isn't the same as everyone elses.

 

Your quite right it isn't. But given that I was speaking from experience and what I said is backed by medical fact then I believe it to be worthy of this thread.

[antone]

Your quite right it isn't. But given that I was speaking from experience and what I said is backed by medical fact then I believe it to be worthy of this thread.

 

It's worthy of the thread in the sense that it is true: some people with some medical conditions can do some sorts of work. Some people with depression could work and might even find it helpful; others, like my close relative, have had to medically retire at 48. She was a doctor, incidentally - I doubt she gained financially from this.

 

So what we try to do on this forum is offer impartial advice. It's not up to you or I to determine who would or would not benefit from work. For better or for worse, that's the job of ATOS, the DWP DMs, and the Tribunals Service if necessary.

[Gbarbm]

Hi,

just to clarify Graham; Steven Hawkins has upper Motor Neurone Disease (MND)...specifically PBP (progressive bulbar paralysis) which is not comparable to what the OP suffers from.

Before I did the job I do now; I was a qualified orthopaedic nurse so I speak from experience when i say that the type of pain suffered by the OP can be excruciating and disabling (you can't get deeper than bone pain after all)

There is a progressive loss of function and movement in the affected joints.

For the ATOS nurse to say that the OP had full flexion in her joints when a consultant orthopaedic surgeon says otherwise is nothing short of dereliction of duty!!!! I know which one I would rather believe.

All ATOS want to do is get everyone off DLA, ESA etc so that they can get their bonuses, they really don't care about the individual.

One of the earlier posters is quite right.....if an employer has to spend money making reasonable adjustments for wheelchair users etc, do you really think that in these financially constrained times they will do that? No, they will come up with some excuyse for refusing to employ the individual so that they don't have to do that.

Larger employers may be prepared to (and can afford to) make those adjustments but I doubt that the little one man bands will.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Actually lily, I know far more than you think about the subject. I too suffer from depression and anxiety. At one point I was unable to leave the house for over 6 months, so please dont be quite so presumptious. In my case getting back into the workplace on part time hours was what made my illness considerably better. when you sit at home with nobody to talk to and nothing to do you have nothing else to focus on other than your illness.

 

Now going back to the question at hand. ATOS do not only look at how the disability affects you or how you feel it affects you. Its remit is to look at are you capable to do some sort of work.

Now in most cases it probably isn't the type of work they would of gone to through choice. But if a person is capable of paying for themself in some way instead of the taxpayer, do you think that to be unfair?

 

I was not being anything, other than writing how I feel.

I would never presume anyone to be capable or not capable of anything.

 

I know I should get out of the house more, but the problem with some depression is what you know and what you do are not the same two things (in reply to your other posting).

If it was that easy I would do it, as my life is ticking on past - I am 55 and never claimed a penny for most of my life, so I do not see as I am relying unfairly on the tax payer.

 

I did not join this forum to argue who is right and who is wrong, to just gain some help, information and show some support to other people who are going through bad times.

 

I am glad for you that your depression is under control - it is not a nice place to be.

 

Lilly

[teenyb]

Hi Astro,

 

Could i just ask you at any point have you been told by your consultant that either of your conditions are ''degenerative'' ?

 

teenyb