Functional capacity evaluation in Hazelwood, MO. Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) are essential in getting Hazelwood, MO residents back to work and their daily routine after workplace injuries. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to providing detailed evaluations that help Hazelwood, MO residents resume the activities they love and get back to their employment, caring for their families and being involved in the community. Our goal is not just to assess your injury and recovery, but to assist you in returning to your best you safely and with confidence that you can achieve 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 exhaustive series of tests designed to gauge the performance levels of an individual across different functions, particularly concerning tasks they perform at work. It proves crucial for Hazelwood, MO healthcare providers, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, to ascertain a person’s work capabilities and perform everyday tasks. This assessment is extremely important if you are on the mend from a work-related injury or illness, and are aiming to rejoin the workforce or require modifications in their job tasks based on their present functional capacity.

Key aspects of functional capacity evaluations in Hazelwood, MO:

• Purpose: The primary goal of a functional capacity evaluation is to evaluate physical abilities in relation to job duties or daily activities. It’s commonly used in cases of workers’ compensation to ascertain if an employee can get back to their job after an injury, or what changes might be needed to accommodate their current capabilities.
• Components: A functional capacity evaluation usually includes tests that evaluate strength, stamina, flexibility, and range of motion. It further evaluates the ability to carry out common functions such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Duration: The evaluation can last several hours to a full day, depending on the intricacy of the individual’s circumstances and the specific needs of the work you want to return to.
• Results: The conclusions of a functional capacity evaluation are instrumental in formulating rehabilitation goals, determining if an individual can safely return to work, supporting disability claims, or in disputed workers’ compensation cases to determine the impact of the injury on your ability to work.
• Use in Rehabilitation: Even outside of employment contexts, functional capacity evaluations are used in rehabilitation settings to track progress and revise treatment plans in accordance with 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 Hazelwood, MO healthcare providers, employers, insurance companies, and other relevant parties make informed decisions about a worker’s readiness to return to work and the type of modifications that may be necessary to facilitate this return. By understanding the functional limitations and capabilities, everyone involved can work together to create a constructive and efficient work environment that meets an individual’s recovery needs in Hazelwood, MO while ensuring productivity.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO, the functional capacity evaluation process leverages the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system developed by Vic Zuccarello. This system combines an understanding of biomechanics with ergonomics to deliver a peer-reviewed, scientifically proven, and legally defensible assessment. This comprehensive approach ensures that the evaluation is not only thorough but also specifically designed to your specific job requirements in Hazelwood, MO and health status, facilitating a safe and effective transition back to job duties.

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

Undergoing a functional capacity evaluation in Hazelwood, MO at Axes Physical Therapy entails a structured 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 could present.
• Standardized Testing: Involves a series of tests that assess your physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and other abilities applicable to your work.
• Specific Task Simulation: Perform work-related tasks that mimic the actual activities you would perform on the job.
• Cardiovascular Assessment: Assesses your stamina and cardiovascular health, particularly your ability to carry out sustained activities.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: After the evaluation, the data collected is analyzed to create a detailed report that describes your capabilities and any limitations.

This method ensures a comprehensive assessment, supplying critical data to help strategize your reintegration into the workplace or alter your work activities based on your current functional capacity.

Hazelwood, MO Functional Capacity Evaluations and Workplace Injury Recovery

A functional capacity evaluation is essential in the rehabilitation and reintegration process for Hazelwood, MO individuals who have suffered workplace injuries. By assessing an individual’s physical abilities in a comprehensive and scientifically proven manner, functional capacity evaluations play multiple critical roles in the context of occupational health and safety. Here’s how the functional capacity evaluation affects 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 recommend proper medical or rehabilitation measures. It assists in formulating further treatment by outlining physical limitations and capacities.
• Decision-Making Tool for Employers: Employers reap advantages from functional capacity evaluations as they provide a clear assessment of an employee’s functional status, aiding 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 use functional capacity evaluation results to formulate informed judgments about claims related to workers’ compensation. The Bio-Ergonomics FCE guarantees that the evaluations are defensible in court, providing robust evidence that supports or challenges a claim.
• Reassurance for the Injured Worker: For the injured worker, a functional capacity evaluation offers a credible, transparent assessment of what activities you can safely perform, minimizing 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 your return to work is handled with care and precision.
• Collaboration Among Parties: Functional capacity evaluation encourages a collaborative approach to an injured worker’s return to work. By establishing a common understanding of an employee’s functional abilities, it assists align the goals of healthcare providers, employers, and insurance carriers, ensuring that all parties are working towards the most effective recovery plan.

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

Axes Physical Therapy’s approach to functional capacity evaluation is notable by its utilization of the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system, developed by Vic Zuccarello in 2005. This technique has been acclaimed as the gold standard for FCE and work rehabilitation in Hazelwood, MO, and the bi-state region for over three decades. Vic was viewed as the “go-to” expert by Hazelwood, MO physicians, case managers, adjusters, and attorneys when a case requires expert assessment and the confidence to present in a deposition or court of law. The system utilizes his experience and an evidence-based protocol to identify test behaviors and to document thoroughly, ensuring the physician to determine maximal medical improvement (MMI).

Axes Physical Therapy prides itself on supporting effective recovery and safe return-to-work strategies through meticulous and scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluations. Our testing not only supports 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 Hazelwood, MO.

Call Axes For Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Hazelwood, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO, we are dedicated to assisting our clients resume 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 dependable and legally defensible 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 Hazelwood, MO is recovering 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.