If you've been injured or have a Personal Injury case, you are probably being referred to get an FCE. If this is the case, you more than likely have numerous questions such as what exactly is an FCE? How does it help? What happens during the evaluation? Or why is it necessary? We'll answer these questions for you and more in this patient guide to a Functional Capacity Evaluation.
What is an FCE?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is an objective evaluation of your physical ability to perform daily and work related tasks to gauge the validity of the claim, the impairment of the sustained injury, facilitate the return to work, and can aid in establishing the proper treatment of the injury.
An FCE is performed by a certified physical therapist. The evaluation will last roughly 4 hours and in special cases the patient may be requested to return the following day for a shorter period of time to gauge the effects of the previous physical strain.
The focus of an FCE is to provide a safe environment by a licensed professional to evaluate the abilities and limitations of the patient's physical condition. An FCE may cause mild pain and discomfort but patients will not be pushed beyond initial points of pain.
What will it do for your case?
FCE reports are used by attorneys, employers, insurance companies, physicians and the court to determine the validity and extent of the injury claim. It informs all parties of the impairment, loss of income, facilitates the return to work, and gives recommendations for return to another type of work should the client not be suitable to return to their current job. FCE reports accurately analyze the injury so that rehabilitation needs, costs and services can be accurately calculated. They rule out exaggerated cases and provide quantifiable data early on in the settlement process so that realistic and fair settlements can quickly be reached.
What happens during an FCE?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation begins with injury and medical history questionnaires followed by a variety of physical exams and performance of various tasks related to work and daily life.
Disability and medical history questionnaires include questions regarding conditions, treatments, procedures, symptoms, abilities and limitations for both work and hobbies. This helps to determine the impact of the injury.
Physical exams include evaluations of the following:
• Neuro-musculoskeletal measurements including range of motion, strength, flexibility and endurance
• Behavioral profile including beliefs and attitudes about pain disability
• Material handling tests including lifting, pushing and pulling
• Body mechanics and postural assessment
• Non-material handling tests including stair and ladder climbing, crawling, and balance.
• Hand function tests including dexterity, hand-eye coordination, grip and pinch strength
• Cardiovascular fitness tests measuring aerobic fitness with heart rate and blood pressure monitoring
These and other similar tests will determine the patient's functional and work capacity to define a physical demand classification.
The FCE accurately evaluates the injury by measuring consistency of effort throughout the test and objectively analyzes the results.
Why It's essential...
By providing sound evidence of the significance of the injury, the attorney, client and their physician receive the comprehensive physical evaluation that discloses the recommended treatment for proper rehabilitation and all parties receive sound quantifiable data necessary for a fair and swift settlement. This evaluation, while extensive, is a key element of any personal injury case.
For more information about Physical Rehabilitation Specialists or Functional Capacity Evaluations please call (720) 982-2000 or email dr.bradleypoppie@physicalrehabspecialists.com