Functional Capacity Evaluations: Can You Return to Work?

After a work injury, don't put yourself at risk of hurting yourself again.

ATI can help determine if you are physically ready to go back to work with a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE), a scientifically developed, objective process to measure a worker's physical capabilities and tolerances, also known as a worker's physical demand level (PDL).

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

If you experience a work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. After you’ve recovered, your employer or insurance provider may request you undergo a FCE to determine if you are able to return to work. A Functional Capacity Evaluator will administer a series of tests to evaluate your physical abilities as they relate to your job. A Functional Capacity Test will examine your:

• Physical strength

• Range of motion

• Flexibility

• Ability to lift

• Stamina

• Ability to carry objects

• Other abilities required by your job duties

The Functional Capacity Evaluator can then provide objective information regarding your injury and help determine whether you can return to work in the same capacity or if your duties must be modified to avoid reinjuring yourself due to an on-going or permanent disability.

What are the Benefits of Using FCEs?

A Functional Capacity Test provides important information for both your employer and yourself, including:

• Determining the level of participation and activity that is right for you, providing the highest probability of return to work without reinjury

• Answering legally defensible case resolution-relevant questions for referral sources

• Practicing hierarchy of safety, reliability, validity, practicality and utility

• Using standardized protocols to objectively define safe and functional levels for return to work and case closure

• Providing peer-reviewed, validity-based and legally defensible information in the field of occupational rehabilitation

• Offering clear, concise, timely reports specific to your physical capabilities

Workers’ Comp Rehab Standardized Protocols

At ATI Physical Therapy, standardized protocols determine the level of participation and activity that is right for you following rehabilitation, thus providing the highest probability for return to work without reinjury.

Reliability and Validity

ATI's certified functional capacity evaluators administer FCEs with evaluation tools and methods that are peer-reviewed, validity-based and legally defensible in the field of occupational rehabilitation. All testing is performed with standardized protocols that are specific to each case in question. Each FCE will provide information on reliability of physical effort, reliability of pain reports/behaviors and safe levels of functional capacity.

Honesty and Objectivity

ATI Physical Therapy provides testing results that are trustworthy. ATI is an independently owned and operated company with the goal to provide fair, accurate, concise, objective data and information in each specific workers' compensation case.

Communication

ATI Physical Therapy's certified functional capacity evaluators produce FCEs that are clear, concise, timely and specific to provide case closure for the referral sources and the workers' compensation client.

Convenience

ATI Physical Therapy uses mobile equipment, which allows companies and their employees the convenience of ATI professionals performing on-site evaluations when needed. Please see our locations to find an ATI clinic near you that offers FCEs.