Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Job Classification

In most duration tables, five job classifications are displayed. These job classifications are based on the amount of physical effort required to perform the work. The classifications correspond to the Strength Factor classifications described in the United States Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The following definitions are quoted directly from that publication.

Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Hernia, Incisional


Related Terms

  • Ventral Hernia

Differential Diagnosis

Specialists

  • General Surgeon

Comorbid Conditions

  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Pulmonary conditions that cause forceful coughing
  • Syphilis
  • Tuberculosis

Factors Influencing Duration

Factors that may influence the length of disability include the location, size, and severity of the hernia, the surgical procedure used, the individual’s health status, response to treatment, the presence and nature of complications, and the individual's job requirements. Individuals over age 35 tend to have a longer period of disability. Open surgery may also increase duration.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
551.21 - Incisional Hernia with Gangrene
552.21 - Incisional, with Obstruction
553.21 - Hernia, Incisional, without Mention of Obstruction or Gangrene

Failure to Recover

If an individual fails to recover within the expected maximum duration period, the reader may wish to consider the following questions to better understand the specifics of an individual's medical case.

Regarding diagnosis:

  • Did individual have abdominal surgery that involved a lower midline incision?
  • Did wound heal inadequately?
  • Did individual have a wound infection?
  • What material was used to close the wound?
  • Is individual older? Debilitated? Malnourished?
  • Does individual do heavy lifting? Strain with bowel movements?
  • Did individual have pain in an incision? Was a bulge present? Is it reducible?
  • Was the onset gradual or sudden?
  • Were CT scan, ultrasound, or herniography done?
  • Have conditions with similar symptoms been ruled out?

Regarding treatment:

  • Has surgery been done? Open or laparoscopic?
  • Was mesh used to support the weakened fascia?
  • Was surgery effective?
  • If individual refused surgery, was manual reduction of the hernia possible?
  • Does individual use a corset?

Regarding prognosis:

  • Is individual's employer able to accommodate any necessary restrictions?
  • Does individual have any conditions that may affect the ability to recover?
  • Was necrosis or gangrene present? Was it treated?
  • Was this repeat surgery for a recurrent hernia?
  • Has incisional hernia recurred after this surgery?

Source: Medical Disability Advisor


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