Work Rehabilitation
Work Rehabilitation and Functional Capacity Evaluations
Work Rehabilitation:
Injured workers benefit from physical therapist services from the onset of injury through their
return to work. Early physical therapy intervention consists of treatment for acute
neuro-musculoskeletal problems and other injuries. Many patient/clients who receive appropriate early care return to their job without additional rehabilitation services.
For those who are not able to return to work because of unresolved physical problems following
acute care, the treatment focus changes to restoration of work-related function. Defined as work conditioning, these programs address the physical issues of flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination, and work-related function for the global outcome of return to work.
Work conditioning is an intensive, work-related, goal-oriented conditioning program designed specifically to restore systemic neuro-musculoskeletal functions (e.g., joint integrity and mobility, muscle performance (including strength, power, and endurance), motor function (motor control and motor learning), range of motion (including muscle length), and cardiovascular/pulmonary functions (e.g. aerobic capacity/ endurance, circulation, and ventilation and respiration/gas exchange). The objective of the work conditioning program is to restore physical capacity and function to enable the patient/client to return to work.
Development of program goals is in relation to job skills and job requirements. Interventions to
improve strength, endurance, movement, flexibility, motor control and cardiovascular/pulmonary capacity related to the performance of work tasks
- Practice, modification, and instruction in work related activities
- Education related to safe job performance and injury prevention
- Promotion of patient/client responsibility and self-management
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE):
FCE measures a patient's functional work ability such as competence to negotiate weight, grasp, handle, move body in space, achieve dynamic and static postures, and perform work tasks.
FCE answers the questions
- What is the individual's ability to perform a given work task or function?
- Did the individual give reliable consistent effort?
PRC utilizes the JTECH system for implementing and reporting FCEs. We can create a report specifically to the referring physician's or worker's compensation needs.
JTECH Tracker FCE consists of:
- Physical Examination
History, Palpation, Waddell's non-organic signs, MMT, ROM, Sensory testing, Special tests
- Computerized Hand Tests
Grip Strength, Reliability of effort, Dexterity
- Computerized Static lifting
- Functional testing
Functional lifting, Work activities (squatting, reaching, bending, etc..) Work postures (sit, stand, walk), Cardiovascular testing, Job simulation
- Analysis
Reliability of effort, Recommendations and restrictions, Questionnaire outcomes
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