Functional Capacity Evaluations Specialist
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Riverwalk Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy located in Bridgewater, Raritan, NJ
When you've been too sick or injured to work, making sure you're fit to do your job is essential before you go back. Peter Woghiren, DPT, and the team at Riverwalk Physical Therapy in Raritan, New Jersey, offer safe, approved functional capacity evaluations to measure your mental and physical fitness. If you need a functional capacity evaluation before returning to work, call Riverwalk Physical Therapy today or book an appointment online.
Functional Capacity Evaluations Q & A
What are functional capacity evaluations?
Functional capacity evaluations are exams the Riverwalk Physical Therapy team performs on individuals unable to work because of ill health who’ve improved enough to return to work.
The evaluation looks at your physical and mental health and your suitability for the job and working environment. Functional capacity evaluations are often needed for workers' compensation cases to provide an unbiased, expert assessment of your ability to work.
Are there different types of functional capacity evaluations?
Because of the wide variation in job requirements, no single functional capacity evaluation (FCE) covers all workers. Instead, generic FCEs measure your overall working ability and assess any limitations, and job-specific FCEs focus on certain types of tasks.
For example, an FCE for a physically demanding job that involves heavy lifting is different from the FCE of someone who uses power tools. If you're a manager, the most important tests might be whether you can use a keyboard or communicate with your staff members.
Your therapist at Riverwalk Physical Therapy uses job descriptions provided by your employer to select an appropriate FCE for you.
What kinds of tests might my functional capacity evaluation involve?
Functional capacity evaluations consist of several stages. First, you attend an intake interview and have a physical examination. Your provider also goes over your medical records. The functional testing activities are usually last.
Functional testing might involve various tasks, such as:
- Walking on a treadmill
- Sitting or standing for set periods
- Communicating or organizing
- Maneuvering a cart
- Lifting and carrying objects
- Using your hands to perform delicate tasks
- Lifting various weights
- Kneeling, crouching, or crawling
The Riverwalk Physical Therapy team observes how well you perform these tasks, measuring cardiovascular function and assessing your strength, ability to balance, any limitations you have, hearing and vision when performing tasks, and whether you feel any pain.
The exact makeup of your test varies according to what's on your job description, so it's important that this document is a true reflection of what your employer expects of you. Typically, FCEs last 4-6 hours, but can last several days depending on your pain levels and stamina.
What happens after a functional capacity evaluation?
Once your FCE is complete, you can go home. Your therapist is likely to contact you after a day or two to see if you've experienced an increase in pain, fatigue, or any other symptoms.
When the report is complete, your therapist forwards it to the appropriate parties with recommendations concerning your ability to resume your job and any other considerations, like suggesting you return to work gradually.
If you need to undergo a functional capacity evaluation, call Riverwalk Physical Therapy for more information or book an appointment online today.
