Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is given to those who have suffered an injury that may affect employment. It is a standardized procedure used to diagnose, collect and assess information regarding physical abilities, to determine whether or not a person can return to the job.

A series of tests is given to measure physical strength, range of motion, stamina and tolerance to functional activities, including lifting and carrying.  These tests can be used to evaluate work tolerance, and the necessity for work restrictions.

Evaluation Criteria

An in-depth questionnaire is used to determine conditions and specific limitations a patient may have, whether directly or indirectly related to job duties. It gives baseline pain values and a general idea of what types of activities exacerbate the pain.

An evaluator skilled in FCE such as Dr. Hirsa, will then use a battery of standardized tests that include diagnosis, impairment, pain and functional limitation, referral questions and in some instances, the case resolution goal.

FCE’s are commonly used with Job Demands Analysis (JDA) to determine the physical demands of a specific occupation.  Functional Capacity Evaluation is not only a useful clinical tool, but a baseline for industry-standard results that clearly define an individual’s transition from injury to employment and from disability to deployment.

To accurately perform these “job specific” FCE’s, Dr. Hirsa uses specialized software developed by OccuCare Systems and Solutions.  The OccuPro Online Assessment Application provides data integrity and allows for immediate report generation and completion.

Testing Procedure

Commonly used FCE tests include activities like treadmill or step exercises, grip testing, dexterity tests and range of motion tests.  Real and simulated workstations are utilized to evaluate a patient’s abilities in work-specific activities.

Workstations may include anything from lifting, pushing/pulling, squatting with and without weights, overhead activities and endurance activities, such as maintaining a position for a specified length of time or walking for a specified distance.

An FCE Session

A typical Functional Capacity Evaluation will take 2-4 hours and may need to be completed over the course of a couple of days, depending on the scope of testing.  It can measure strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, cardiovascular condition and body mechanics.  Pain is documented through the use of a “0-10″pain scale, “0” being no pain, “10” being excruciating pain.

About Dr. Hirsa, DC

Dr. Hirsa has completed hundreds of FCEs and maintains all necessary record keeping for efficient processing.