🏥 What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) — and Why You Might Need One
- Shawn Christensen
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
If you or an employee were injured at work, recovering safely is just the start. Knowing when and how to return to work is crucial—and that’s exactly where a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) comes in.
At Healing Arts Physical Therapy in Yuba City, our thorough FCEs help guide critical decisions like return-to-work readiness, accommodation needs, and safe-duty job matching—all based on objective, performance-driven data.
🔍 What Is an FCE?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is a comprehensive physical assessment designed to evaluate a patient’s current abilities after a work-related injury. It includes medical history review, physical and functional testing, and detailed reporting to support:
Safe return-to-work timing
Identification of physical limitations
Customized job accommodations
Cost-effective, defensible documentation for employers, adjusters, and attorneys healingartspt.net+9healingartspt.net+9healingartspt.net+9
🛠️ What to Expect During an FCE at Healing Arts PT
1. Clinical PT Screening
Assessment of medical history, pain, and baseline vitals (BP, HR, O₂ saturation)
Observation of posture and gait during movement
2. Physical Testing
Range of Motion (ROM)
Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)
Grip and pinch strength
Balance and coordination
3. Functional Task Evaluation
Sitting, standing, walking tolerance
Reaching, bending, squatting
Stair navigation
Dexterity and fine motor tasks
4. Material Handling Assessment
Carrying, pushing, and pulling
Lifting from floor to waist, waist to shoulder, and overhead
5. Performance Monitoring & Reporting
Objective tracking of endurance, effort, pain response, and consistency
Identification of safe maximal abilities, limitations, and impairments
A comprehensive report with job-matching and return-to-work guidelines
✅ Why Choose Healing Arts Physical Therapy for FCEs?
Objective & Reliable: Our licensed PTs provide performance-based evaluations—not subjective opinions.
Fast, Clear Reporting: Completed within 24–48 hours, with easy-to-understand, actionable insights.
Integrated Care: As a full-service PT clinic, we can provide follow-up rehabilitation when needed.
Local Expertise: Serving employers, case managers, and attorneys in Yuba City, Marysville, and Beale AFB.
💡 Who Should Consider an FCE?
Employees recovering from injury or surgery
Workers returning after workers’ compensation events
Job accommodation or light-duty assessments
Pre-employment baseline testing or long-term disability documentation
📞 Ready to Learn More or Refer a Patient?
Contact Healing Arts PT today to schedule an FCE or discuss how it can support your organization’s goals:
Call: (530) 329‑8490
Fax: (530) 692‑5087
Comments