I am going to be going to one soon so that my LTD company, Unum Providiant, can reach a final decision about the extent of my disability. I'd like to understand it a bit before going.
Thanks everybody!!

Functional capacity evaluation is defined as “a systematic method of measuring an individual’s ability to perform meaningful tasks on a safe and dependable basis.”


My best guess is that they will be checking various things to see what you can and can not do and how well you do these things.


Best wishes,
Abbie

I had one done a while back. Basically they check your limitations as to how far you can walk, how much you can lift, how much you can push and/or pull and various other tests to see at what level you can "function". If you refuse to do a test without a good reason they count it against you....at least that is what they told me when I did mine. I tried almost everything and if I could not do it I would tell them after I tried. Don't do anything that will worsen your condition but try what they want.....does that make sense?

.... What if most of the pain comes later? I have RSIs and I flare up as a result of doing everyday things.... If I lay low (read: do nothing) for a couple of days, then do something like type for 5 minutes straight or sweep the floor or get books out of my backpack then I usually will hurt an hour or two afterward...
Does anyone have experience with this in a QME or Functional Eval? Its hard to prove these kinds of limitations in a objective medical meeting if you aren't in pain right?? What to do

Yes I still get it sometimes, I used to have it much worse before I got some good PT and chiro treatments - it's called delayed pain.
My RSIs became TOS - and delayed pain is common with it.

But it is a hard thing to prove unless your doctor or PT person is aware of the delayed pain circumstances and has it recorded in their notes when you report it to them.

If it hasn't been mentioned to your doctor at all that needs to be reported and explained how it comes about for you and the timing after uses etc.

This is something you want to discuss with your doctor and have the doctor make the specialists that will do your test aware of this manifestation of your symptoms. Other than that I am not sure. Mine was for low back injury and I know my limitations as well as I knew right up front what amounts I would be comfortable with during the tests.

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

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

Ask for a two-day test so they can see your decreased capacity, if you can.


Do not, I repeat, do not try to fake being weaker than you are. Many of the tests have the ability to measure your effort, and lack of effort will usually raise a huge red flag. Instead, I would document the best you can that what you do today may be completely different than what you can do tomorrow.

If all they do is a simple few movements, that is not really a functional capacity. The test should be much more involved and comprehensive than that. It should take at least around 2 hours, with some taking up to 8. The evaluation should be geared to your occupation's work duties, not be generalized having you lift boxes and push weights if you are a clerk who has to sit, bend, stoop, and reach, never needing to lift and push and pull. If they are asking you to try to do things you never do at work, ask them if this part of the test is required if you feel it may hurt you.

Take a witness with you if you can. If the test ends up being pure b.s., at least you have a witness. Your best friend is not as good a choice as someone form your church or civic group. Call your local volunteer center and see if you could have a volunteer accompany you.

Hey guys, I meant to do this earlier I wrote, in detail what actually went down- step by step- in my blog. Please read it if you're interested! http://rsi-wc-california.blogspot.co...03/my-fce.html

I haven't heard anything from LTD in regards to this since I went. No news is good news right??