Arnold, MO

Arnold, MO

Get back to work and the activities you love with Axes Physical Therapy in Arnold, MO.

Functional capacity evaluation in Arnold, MO. Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) play a crucial role in getting Arnold, MO residents back to work and their daily routine after workplace injuries. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on providing thorough evaluations that help Arnold, MO residents resume the things they love and get back to their employment, caring for their families and supporting the community. We do what we do not just to evaluate your injury and recovery, but to assist you in returning to your best you safely and with confidence in your capabilities.

All of our functional capacity evaluations and treatment modalities are proven to be effective through peer-reviewed research. Call the Axes location nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation is a comprehensive battery of examinations designed to gauge the performance levels of an individual across different capacities, particularly within work-related activities. It proves crucial for Arnold, MO healthcare providers, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, to determine a person’s ability to work and functionally perform basic tasks. This assessment is critically important for individuals in recovery from a work-related injury or illness, and are aiming to rejoin the workforce or require modifications in their job tasks based on their current level of function.

Key aspects of functional capacity evaluations in Arnold, MO:

  • Purpose: The main goal of a functional capacity evaluation is to assess if someone is physically capable of performing their job duties, and/or if they need modifications. It’s commonly used in situations of workers’ compensation to determine if an employee can resume their duties after an injury, or what adjustments might be needed to fit their current capabilities.
  • Components: A functional capacity evaluation typically includes tests that measure physical strength, stamina, flexibility, and mobility. It further evaluates the ability to execute common movements such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
  • Duration: The evaluation may extend from several hours to a full day, depending on the severity of your injury and the specific needs of the job or activities being evaluated.
  • Results: The results of a functional capacity evaluation play a key role in formulating rehabilitation goals, ascertaining if an individual can safely return to work, establishing disability claims, or in legal cases to specify the extent of an injury.
  • Use in Rehabilitation: Besides employment contexts, functional capacity evaluations are used in rehabilitation settings to track progress and update treatment plans according to the patient’s recovery or changes in functional status.

The results from a functional capacity evaluation help guide the rest of your treatment and rehabilitation. They provide conclusive data that can help Arnold, MO healthcare providers, employers, insurance companies, and other involved parties make well-informed decisions about whether or not a workers is ready to return to work and the type of accommodations that might be needed to support this return. By understanding the limitations and functional abilities, everyone involved can collaborate to create a supportive and effective work environment that meets an individual’s recovery needs in Arnold, MO while upholding productivity.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Arnold, MO, the functional capacity evaluation process employs the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system developed by Vic Zuccarello. This system merges an understanding of biomechanics with ergonomics to deliver a peer-reviewed, scientifically valid, and legally defensible assessment. This thorough approach ensures that the evaluation is extremely detailed but also specifically designed to the individual’s unique job requirements in Arnold, MO and health status, aiding a smoother transition back to job duties.

Preparing for Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Arnold, MO

Going through a functional capacity evaluation in Arnold, MO at Axes Physical Therapy entails a methodical process designed to extensively assess your physical capabilities in relation to your job demands. Here is what you can look forward to during the evaluation:

  • Pre-Evaluation Interview: A conversation about your medical history, specific job requirements, and any concerns you may have.
  • Standardized Testing: Involves a series of tests that measure your physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and other abilities applicable to your work.
  • Specific Task Simulation: Participate in work-related tasks that simulate the actual activities you would perform on the job.
  • Cardiovascular Assessment: Measures your stamina and cardiovascular health, particularly your ability to engage in activities over an extended period of time.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: After the evaluation, the data collected is processed to create a thorough report that describes your capabilities and any limitations.

These steps provide a comprehensive assessment, supplying critical data to help plan your return to work or adjust your work activities based on your current functional capacity.

Arnold, MO Functional Capacity Evaluations and Workplace Injury Recovery

A functional capacity evaluation is essential in the rehabilitation and reintegration process for Arnold, MO workers who have suffered workplace injuries. By evaluating an individual’s physical abilities in a comprehensive and scientifically proven manner, functional capacity evaluations fulfill multiple vital roles in the context of occupational health and safety. Here’s how the functional capacity evaluation influences various stakeholders involved in workplace injury recovery:

  • Guidance for Physicians: Doctors use the factual data from functional capacity evaluations to clearly comprehend the extent of an injury and to suggest suitable medical or rehabilitation measures. It helps in planning further treatment by describing physical limitations and capacities.
  • Decision-Making Tool for Employers: Employers reap advantages from functional capacity evaluations as they provide a definitive assessment of an employee’s functional status, informing decisions regarding the need for job accommodations, modifications, or even a change in role to match the employee’s current capabilities.
  • Support for Insurance and Legal Considerations: Insurance companies and legal professionals utilize functional capacity evaluation results to formulate informed judgments about claims related to workers’ compensation. The Bio-Ergonomics FCE ensures that the evaluations are supportable in court, providing compelling evidence that corroborates or challenges a claim.
  • Reassurance for the Injured Worker: For you, a functional capacity evaluation offers a credible, transparent assessment of what activities they can safely perform, mitigating the risk of re-injury by prematurely returning to work without appropriate accommodations. This process is crucial for setting realistic expectations and assists your psychological recovery, assuring that the worker’s return to work is handled with care and precision.
  • Collaboration Among Parties: Functional capacity evaluation promotes a collaborative approach to an injured worker’s return to work. By creating a common understanding of the individual’s functional abilities, it assists align the goals of healthcare providers, employers, and insurance carriers, guaranteeing that all parties are working towards the most effective recovery plan.

Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Functional Capacity Evaluations in Arnold, MO

Axes Physical Therapy’s way to functional capacity evaluation is distinguished by its implementation of the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system, created by Vic Zuccarello in 2005. This approach is widely regarded as the gold standard for FCE and work rehabilitation in Arnold, MO, and in both Missouri and Illinois for over a span of three decades. Vic was viewed as the “go-to” expert by Arnold, MO physicians, case managers, adjusters, and attorneys with difficult cases and the confidence to present in a deposition or trial. The system utilizes his experience and an evidence-based protocol to identify test behaviors and to document precisely, allowing the physician to determine maximal medical improvement (MMI).

Axes Physical Therapy prides itself on supporting effective recovery and safe return-to-work methodologies through meticulous and scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluations. Our method not only assists in accurately assessing an individual’s capacity to perform their job but also plays a critical role in managing the broader implications of work-related injuries in Arnold, MO.

Call Axes For Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Arnold, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy in Arnold, MO, we are dedicated to assisting our clients return to work and daily life through the precise, scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluation process. Using the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system developed by Vic Zuccarello in 2005, our evaluations are not only reliable and legally defensible but are also deeply rooted in a holistic approach to patient care. We aim to ensure that every patient can safely get back to the activities and work they love, with a clear understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

If you or someone you know in Arnold, MO is healing from a workplace injury, consider a functional capacity evaluation with Axes Physical Therapy. Request an appointment online or call the Axes location nearest you. Together, let’s take a step towards a safe and effective recovery.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Spine Specialty – Certified Manual Therapy
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Greg Nicholas
Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
Grace Gualtieri
Physical Therapist
Shawna Morrow
Front Office

Locations

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Injuries and pain shouldn’t keep you from moving and doing the things you love.