Worker’s Compensation Cases
It is important to return the injured worker back to the workplace promptly to maximize coping skills and functional capacity and return to a normal activity level. The overall goal of any injured worker rehabilitation program is to shorten the time frame from onset of injury to a return to the work force. The most efficient outcome is achieved when there is immediate intervention following an injury, intervention Steele Creek Physical Therapy & Balance Center has offered case managers, companies and injured employees since our opening.Injured workers benefit from physical therapy services from the onset of injury through their return to work. Early physical therapy intervention will help with early motion, reducing pain and swelling, and reinforce a healthy attitude to an early return to work. Many injured workers who receive appropriate early care return to their job without additional rehabilitation services. Modified work arrangements can also be very productive in maintaining the injured workers attitude.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
Functional testing is typically done by performing a standardized functional capacity evaluation (FCE). According to the APTA, “an FCE is a detailed examination and evaluation that objectively measures the client’s current level of function, primarily within the context of the demands of competitive employment.” The FCE tests physical demand capabilities based on functional activities and positional tolerances. The objective measurements of the functional activities obtained from the examination are compared to the physical demands and positional tolerances of a job or occupation. FCEs are a useful tool in making recommendations for return to work, or return to activity, disability determinations and rehabilitation plans of care.
The purpose of a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is to provide an objective measure of a patient’s/client’s safe functional abilities compared to the physical demands of work. The FCE measures the ability of an individual to perform functional or work-related job functions and can provide an estimation of the potential to sustain these tasks over a period of time.
Applications for the Steele Creek Physical Therapy & Balance Center’s FCE:
- Return to work and job place and job placement decisions and programs.
- Disability evaluation and rating.
- Determination of work function or work level with non-work related illness and injuries.
- Determination of work function or work level with work-related illnesses and injuries.
- Determination of function in non-occupational settings.
- Medical and rehabilitation treatment intervention and planning.
- Case management and case closure.
- Post-offer functional evaluations, (pre-employment screens)
- Governmental Agency and disability management programs may use FCE documentation to adopt, promulgate and enforce policies and regulations.
Work Conditioning
A work-related, intensive, goal-oriented program specifically designed to restore an individuals’ systemic, neuro-musculoskeletal (strength, endurance, movement, flexibility and motor control) and cardiopulmonary functions. The objective of Steele Creek Physical Therapy’s work conditioning program is to restore the patient/client’s physical capacity and function so that the client can return to work.
For more information or to schedule an FCE, a worker’s compensation case or work conditioning program please call (704) 504-2194.