Functional capacity evaluation in Wildwood, MO. Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and effective return to work for Wildwood, MO individuals who have experienced an injury at work. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on providing detailed evaluations that help Wildwood, MO citizens get back to the activities they love and get back to their employment, supporting their families and being involved in the community. Our goal is not just to evaluate 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 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 detailed series of examinations performed to determine the performance levels of an individual across different capacities, particularly concerning tasks they perform at work. It proves invaluable for Wildwood, MO medical professionals, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, to evaluate a person’s capacity for work and perform everyday tasks. This assessment is critically essential for individuals in recovery from a work-related injury or illness, and are eager 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 Wildwood, MO:

• Purpose: A functional capacity evaluations primary purpose is to assess physical abilities in relation to job duties or daily activities. It’s frequently used in situations of workers’ compensation to determine if an employee can return to work after an injury, or what changes may be necessary to accommodate their current capabilities.
• Components: A functional capacity evaluation typically includes tests that evaluate strength, stamina, flexibility, and range of motion. It also evaluates the ability to carry out common movements such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Duration: The evaluation can last several hours to a full day, depending on the complexity of the individual’s injury and the specific requirements of the job or activities being examined.
• Results: The results of a functional capacity evaluation play a key role in creating rehabilitation goals, deciding 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: Besides employment contexts, functional capacity evaluations are employed in rehabilitation settings to monitor progress and modify treatment plans based on your 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 Wildwood, MO health professionals, employers, insurance companies, and other relevant parties make well-informed decisions about a worker’s readiness to return to work and the type of modifications that may be necessary to support this return. By understanding the restrictions and capabilities, everyone involved can work together to create a constructive and efficient work environment that meets an individual’s recovery needs in Wildwood, MO while ensuring productivity.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Wildwood, 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 critically assessed, scientifically sound, and legally defensible assessment. This detailed approach ensures that the evaluation is not only thorough but also specifically designed to the individual’s unique job requirements in Wildwood, MO and health status, enabling a smoother transition back to job duties.

Preparing for Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Wildwood, MO

Undergoing a functional capacity evaluation in Wildwood, MO at Axes Physical Therapy consists of a structured process designed to extensively assess your physical capabilities regarding your job demands. Here is what you can expect during the evaluation:

• Pre-Evaluation Interview: A discussion about your medical history, specific job requirements, and any issues you might raise.
• Standardized Testing: Entails a series of tests that evaluate your physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and other abilities applicable to your work.
• Specific Task Simulation: Engage 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 perform sustained activities.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: After the evaluation, the data collected is processed to create a detailed report that describes your capabilities and any limitations.

These steps ensure a thorough assessment, offering critical data to help plan your return to work or adjust your work activities based on your current functional capacity.

Wildwood, MO Functional Capacity Evaluations and Workplace Injury Recovery

A functional capacity evaluation is crucial in the recovery and reintegration process for Wildwood, MO workers who have incurred workplace injuries. By evaluating an individual’s physical abilities in a comprehensive and scientifically validated manner, functional capacity evaluations play multiple essential 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 depend on the factual data from functional capacity evaluations to better understand the extent of an injury and to recommend appropriate medical or rehabilitation measures. It aids in planning further treatment by outlining 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, aiding decisions regarding the need for job accommodations, modifications, or even a change in role to suit the employee’s current capabilities.
• Support for Insurance and Legal Considerations: Insurance companies and legal professionals use functional capacity evaluation results to decide about claims related to workers’ compensation. The Bio-Ergonomics FCE guarantees that the evaluations are sustainable in court, providing strong evidence that upholds or disputes a claim.
• Reassurance for the Injured Worker: For you, a functional capacity evaluation offers 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 plays a vital role in setting realistic expectations and supports your psychological recovery, confirming that their 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 establishing a common understanding of an employee’s functional abilities, it helps 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 Wildwood, MO

Axes Physical Therapy’s way to functional capacity evaluation is recognized by its utilization of the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system, formulated by Vic Zuccarello in 2005. This method is widely regarded as the gold standard for FCE and work rehabilitation in Wildwood, MO, and in both Missouri and Illinois for over three decades. Vic was viewed as the “go-to” expert by Wildwood, MO physicians, case managers, adjusters, and attorneys highly disputed cases and the confidence to present under oath. The system applies his experience and an evidence-based protocol to identify test behaviors and to document clearly, helping 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 testing not only aids 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 Wildwood, MO.

Call Axes For Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Wildwood, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy in Wildwood, MO, we are dedicated to aiding 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 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 Wildwood, 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.