Listing 1.17 · Musculoskeletal disorders

Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint

To be approved under this listing, a claim must meet all of the criteria below — and the medical records have to prove it.

  1. A

    History of reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint (knee, hip, ankle).

    In plain terms: Have you had a major surgery on your knee, hip, or ankle — like a joint replacement, fusion, or reconstructive surgery?

    Evidence required:Hospitalization recordTreating physician report
  2. B

    Inability to ambulate effectively, defined as the need for a walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheelchair, that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.

    In plain terms: After the surgery, do you still need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair to get around?

    Evidence required:Treating physician reportRFC (residual functional capacity) assessment
Read the official SSA text for Listing 1.17

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Approval odds by condition

How claims for this body system fare through the process.

Other musculoskeletal disorders listings

Disorders of the spine (legacy listing — replaced by 1.15-1.16 in 2021)Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s)Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equinaAbnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremityPathologic fractures due to any causeAmputation due to any causeSoft-tissue injury or abnormality under continuing surgical managementNon-healing or complex fracture of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or one or more vertebraeNon-healing or complex fracture of an upper extremity

Source: SSA Listing of Impairments (Blue Book), 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 · Updated 2026-06-18. Criteria paraphrased for readability; see the official SSA text linked above. Not legal or medical advice — whether a specific medical record meets Listing 1.17 is an individualized judgment SSA makes on the evidence.