When you’re injured at work, it can be overwhelming to figure out when you might be able to return to work and what you need to do to regain the functional abilities needed to begin working again safely and comfortably.
The physical medicine and rehabilitation experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center can help you regain function, strength and skills needed to heal your injury and begin living life again, including being productive at your job. A key step to being able to return to work after a work-related injury is a functional capacity evaluation. We perform many functional capacity assessments at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, to help people get back on their feet and back to work at the appropriate time.
What is a functional capacity evaluation?
After a work injury, you may be referred to Ohio State’s Functional Capacity Program, where our physical and occupational therapists will evaluate your current strength and physical endurance relative to your work responsibilities. Evaluation results help determine whether you’re able to return to work in the same capacity as before your injury or if any restrictions are required.
At the end of the evaluation, you’ll receive a report that:
- Indicates whether you can safely perform your job
- Recommends any necessary accommodations
- Is necessary for a disability claim
Who is the Functional Capacity Program for?
You must be referred to the Functional Capacity Program by a medical provider. A referral may be given to help determine work restrictions or limitations, as well as partial or permanent disability claims. Typically, a workers' compensation claim is involved. People who may need a functional capacity evaluation include those with:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Muscular and skeletal injuries
- Other work injuries
What does a functional capacity evaluation entail?
A functional capacity evaluation is a comprehensive, standardized assessment designed to measure your physical and functional abilities in relation to the demands of your work, your daily living or your rehabilitation goals. This test may include tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting and any other job-specific simulations.
A licensed occupational or physical therapist who specializes in functional testing and ergonomics administers the test and evaluates you. The test can take several hours, depending on the extent of your injury and your occupation.
Here’s what a functional capacity evaluation entails:
- Work readiness: Whether a person can safely return to work after injury or illness
- Physical limitations: Strengths, weaknesses and endurance levels
- Rehabilitation planning: What type of therapy or conditioning is needed
- Disability determination: Documentation for insurance, workers’ compensation or legal purposes
How to schedule a functional capacity assessment
You’ll need a referral from your doctor if you require a functional capacity evaluation. Attorneys, employers and insurance representatives may also refer workers to an evaluation. Please call our main outpatient rehabilitation services line at 614-293-2001.
Why choose Ohio State for your functional capacity evaluation?
Personalized care: You’ll receive a personal evaluation to help create an individualized care plan that meets your needs and guides you toward your health goals. Our team objectively measures your ability or disability related to future work and function. The functional capacity evaluation measures your strength, flexibility, endurance, pain, effort and function, as well as your ability to perform a series of work-related tasks.
Innovative technology: We use the latest evaluation technology that can closely mimic any motion or task required for your job.
Accredited care: We’re proud that our inpatient rehabilitation programs at Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital, and our outpatient medical rehabilitation programs, are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF recognizes our programs as meeting the highest standards in quality, safety and outcome measures which provide risk reduction and accountability in our patient care. Our physical therapists are certified in the WorkWell Systems. Our program is clinically validated, and our expert team has the technology, skills and training required to perform these extensive evaluations.