Quote:
Originally Posted by johannakat
Hi there, I also have an FCE scheduled soon for Unum with an OT and was wondering what to expect. I was wondering if it would not be wise to get a little flared before the exam....you know, so you're on the edge, versus resting up for it.
they scheduled mine exactly two weeks after a scalenectomy surgery for TOS, so I have a lifting restriction of 5 lbs which goes until after the test....and I have less range of motion, etc because I am healing. I guess that's convenient? Or stupid on their part, not sure which.
I was planning to ask in the beginning....just be forthright and say hey, i can do almost anything once or twice...but there is a exertion/time equation that says "if i want to function tomorrow, i have to be careful today" In other words, I can lift 5 pounds reliably each day several times, but if I lift 10+ pounds i can only do it a few times, more than 15 i can only do it once or twice. I only know this from experience...and each activity in my day has been a learning experience as to how much i can handle...
I don't know how this will go over. I expect that by the end of the scheduled 4 hours i'll be pretty fatigued, i don't "go" for that long in a normal day without problems.
if anyone else has comments on this i would really appreciate hearing them.
thanks
Johanna
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Hi Johanna and others. You should be a little cynical in your approach to this, as they may not have your best interest at heart. The test may be a way for them to deny any benefits. So it depends on what it is for. Do they want to really find out your limits, or do they just want to show that you are able to do a series of basic movements?
I had one day a few years ago, and I went in all trusting and confident. I explained that my problem was repetition of movement, RSI, that sort of thing. He had me do several simple arm and leg movements, head turns and so on, but absolutely nothing of any duration. So of course I was unable to demonstrate my problems, and I was passed as being fit to work. Completely ridiculous as I am really unemployable.
I did a Google search and found this in-depth evaluation-it takes 2 days, and covers repetition. So it would be a good one to take along for comparison purposes. The tests may not be directly applicable to your medical condition, but it gives you a good idea of just what should be looked at if they are sincere.
"Functional Capacity Evaluation
The Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a two-day assessment of the client's functional capabilities. The test safely and objectively measures:
repetitive lifting capacity at various levels
repetitive push, pull, and carrying capacities
hand grip strength
tolerance for elevated work
prolonged trunk flexion in sitting and standing
prolonged trunk rotation in sitting and standing
prolonged crawl, knee and sustained crouch positions
repetitive squat
tolerance for prolonged sitting and standing
maximum walking, stairs and stepladder capacity
balance
hand coordination"
Link
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:...=au&lr=lang_en