Functional capacity evaluation in Concord, MO. Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) are vital in getting Concord, MO residents back to work and their daily routine after an injury at work. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in providing detailed evaluations that help Concord, MO citizens return to the activities they love and resume their jobs, caring for their families and contributing to the community. Our goal is not just to evaluate your injury and recovery, but to get you back to your best you safely and with confidence that you can accomplish the task at hand.

All of our functional capacity evaluations and treatment modalities are backed by science. Call the Axes location nearest you or schedule an appointment online right away.

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation is a thorough series of tests performed to determine the capabilities of an individual across different capacities, particularly within work-related activities. It proves crucial for Concord, MO healthcare providers, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, to ascertain a person’s work capabilities and functionally perform basic tasks. This assessment is extremely vital if you are recovering from a work-related injury or illness, and are looking to rejoin the workforce or require modifications in their job tasks based on their existing abilities.

Highlighted below are some crucial elements of functional capacity evaluations in Concord, MO:

• Purpose: A functional capacity evaluations primary goal is to assess if someone is physically capable of carrying out tasks related to their job, and/or if they need modifications. It’s frequently used in cases 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 commonly includes tests that measure physical strength, stamina, flexibility, and range of motion. It also evaluates the ability to execute task-specific movements such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Duration: The evaluation can last several hours to a full day, depending on the severity of your circumstances and the specific requirements of the work you want to return to.
• Results: The outcome of a functional capacity evaluation play a key role in establishing rehabilitation goals, determining if an individual can safely return to work, establishing disability claims, or in disputed workers’ compensation cases to determine the impact of the injury on your ability to work.
• Use in Rehabilitation: Besides employment contexts, functional capacity evaluations are used in rehabilitation settings to observe progress and update treatment plans based on 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 definitive data that can help Concord, MO medical professionals, employers, insurance companies, and other concerned parties make educated decisions about whether or not a workers is physically fit to return to work and the type of modifications that might be needed to support this return. By understanding the functional limitations and capabilities, everyone involved can work together to create a productive and accommodating work environment that accommodates an individual’s recovery needs in Concord, MO while ensuring productivity.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Concord, MO, the functional capacity evaluation process utilizes the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system developed by Vic Zuccarello. This system integrates an understanding of biomechanics with ergonomics to deliver a critically assessed, scientifically valid, and legally defensible assessment. This thorough approach ensures that the evaluation is not only thorough but also tailored to the individual’s unique job requirements in Concord, MO and health status, aiding a safe and effective return to work.

What to Expect During Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Concord, MO

Undergoing a functional capacity evaluation in Concord, MO at Axes Physical Therapy consists of a structured process customized to comprehensively assess your physical capabilities with respect to your job demands. Here is what you can look forward to during the evaluation:

• Pre-Evaluation Interview: A discussion about your medical history, specific job requirements, and any concerns you could present.
• Standardized Testing: Includes a series of tests that evaluate your physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and other abilities pertinent to your work.
• Specific Task Simulation: Perform work-related tasks that simulate the actual activities you would carry out at work.
• Cardiovascular Assessment: Evaluates your stamina and cardiovascular health, particularly your ability to carry out activities over an extended period of time.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: After the evaluation, the data collected is processed to create a detailed report that details your capabilities and any limitations.

These steps provide a thorough assessment, offering critical data to help strategize your reintegration into the workplace or adjust your work activities based on your current functional capacity.

Concord, MO Functional Capacity Evaluations and Workplace Injury Recovery

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

• Guidance for Physicians: Doctors rely on the factual data from functional capacity evaluations to clearly comprehend the extent of an injury and to recommend suitable medical or rehabilitation measures. It aids in planning further treatment by describing physical limitations and capacities.
• Decision-Making Tool for Employers: Employers benefit from functional capacity evaluations as they provide a definitive assessment of an employee’s functional status, guiding decisions regarding the necessity for job accommodations, modifications, or even a change in role to accommodate the employee’s current capabilities.
• Support for Insurance and Legal Considerations: Insurance companies and legal professionals employ functional capacity evaluation results to decide about claims related to workers’ compensation. The Bio-Ergonomics FCE ensures that the evaluations are defensible in court, providing compelling evidence that upholds or challenges a claim.
• Reassurance for the Injured Worker: For the injured worker, a functional capacity evaluation provides a credible, transparent assessment of what activities you 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 supports your psychological recovery, assuring that the worker’s return to work is handled with care and precision.
• Collaboration Among Parties: Functional capacity evaluation fosters a collaborative approach to an injured worker’s return to work. By developing a common understanding of the worker’s functional abilities, it supports align the goals of healthcare providers, employers, and insurance carriers, confirming that all parties are working towards the most effective recovery plan.

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

Axes Physical Therapy’s strategy to functional capacity evaluation is recognized by its use of the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system, formulated by Vic Zuccarello in 2005. This method is acknowledged as the gold standard for FCE and work rehabilitation in Concord, MO, and in both Missouri and Illinois for over three decades. Vic was viewed as the “go-to” expert by Concord, MO physicians, case managers, adjusters, and attorneys with difficult cases and the confidence to present in a deposition or court of law. The system applies his experience and an evidence-based protocol to identify test behaviors and to document clearly, allowing the physician to determine maximal medical improvement (MMI).

Axes Physical Therapy prides itself on promoting effective recovery and safe return-to-work methodologies through meticulous and scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluations. Our procedure 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 Concord, MO.

Call Axes For Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Concord, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy in Concord, MO, we are committed to aiding our clients get back 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 accurate and legally sound but are also deeply rooted in a holistic approach to patient care. We aim to ensure that every patient can safely resume the activities and work they love, with a clear understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

If you or someone you know in Concord, MO is recuperating 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.