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Functional Capacity Evaluations 

Worker on Ladder
Janitors in Uniforms

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) are thorough assessments designed to evaluate the physical capabilities of individuals recovering from work-related injuries. Our evaluations are crucial in determining your readiness to return to work, as well as identifying any restrictions or accommodations to ensure a safe transition back to your job. Trust us to the insights you need for a smooth recovery process.

Benefits of a Functional Capacity Evaluation:

    •    Faster Recovery Paths: FCEs accurately identify an employee’s current abilities and limitations, allowing tailored rehabilitation plans that speed up recovery.

    •    Safe Return-to-Work Decisions: Objective data ensures workers return only when it’s safe, reducing the risk of re-injury and building confidence for both employee and employer.

    •    Clear Communication: FCEs offer clear, medical-based reports that streamline conversations between healthcare providers, employers, insurers, and case managers.

    •    Customized Job Matching: Match employees to duties they can perform safely, reducing downtime and promoting productivity during the healing process.

    •    Cost Savings: Minimize lost workdays, workers’ compensation costs, and expensive claims by making informed, timely return-to-work decisions.

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📝 What Happens During a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?

 

At Healing Arts Physical Therapy, our Functional Capacity Evaluations are comprehensive, evidence-based assessments that determine a patient’s physical ability to safely return to work. Here's what the FCE includes:

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🔹 1. Initial Physical Therapy Assessment

We begin with a clinical evaluation by a licensed physical therapist, which includes:

  • Review of medical history and current symptoms

  • Baseline vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation

  • Observation of gait, posture, and body mechanics

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🔹 2. Physical Testing

Next, we perform standardized measurements of:

  • Range of motion (ROM)

  • Manual muscle testing (MMT)

  • Grip and pinch strength

  • Balance and coordination​

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🔹 3. Functional Capacity Testing

The FCE itself consists of two key parts:

🧍‍♂️ Functional Tasks

We assess the patient's ability to perform common work-related activities:

  • Tolerance for sitting, standing, and walking

  • Reaching, bending, squatting

  • Climbing stairs

  • Dexterity and fine motor coordination

📦 Material Handling

We evaluate safe limits and endurance for lifting and moving objects:

  • Carrying

  • Pushing and pulling

  • Lifting from floor to waist, waist to shoulder, and overhead

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🔹 4. Monitoring & Documentation

Throughout the FCE, we:

  • Monitor endurance, effort, pain response, and consistency

  • Document safe maximal physical abilities

  • Identify limitations, impairments, and readiness for return to work or further rehab

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