Biomax Rehabilitation: Patient Education

Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

A “Functional Capacity Evaluation” (FCE), is an intensive short-term (usually one-day) evaluation that focuses on major physical tolerance abilities related to musculoskeletal strength, endurance, speed and flexibility. This systematic method measures an individual’s ability to perform meaningful tasks on a safe and dependable basis.

Why Is An FCE Needed?

The FCE is a significant tool that can be used to make objective and reliable assessments of the individual’s physical abilities. Its precise data format provides information that can be used in various contexts.

To aide in the process of case resolution
To objectify physician’s recommendations
To decrease physician’s liability
To determine the individuals ability to safely return to work with or without restrictions.
To identify needed job identifications and make recommendations regarding reasonable accommodations.
To determine probability that the worker performed consistently
To determine if the worker is reliable.
To determine if the worker is applying full effort.
To identify baseline abilities for possible further vocational rehabilitation.
To make further recommendations regarding any other rehabilitation if needed.

Who Is Referred For A Functional Capacity Evaluation?

The person that has been injured or has suffered from an illness that has affected his or her ability to perform their regular job safely.
An individual who needs quantification of their physical capacities for determination of disability status.
Individuals who require quantification of their physical function for medical legal reasons.

When Should An FCE Be Performed?

When the physician decided that the patient is at MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) and there is questions regarding the patient’s ability to return back to work with safety.
Following Work Hardening / Work Conditioning.
Following rehabilitation
Before a return to work with or without restrictions following an injury or illness.

Biomax Rehabilitation / Matheson Philosophy

The staff at Biomax Rehabilitation shares the philosophy with Roy Matheson and Associates, Inc., in that each evaluation must address five hierarchical components:

SAFETY
RELIABILITY
VALIDITY
PRACTICALITY
UTILITY

The evaluators at Biomax Rehabilitation have been trained and certified using the Matheson System.