Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). Can anyone give info on this procedure?

Everything is now coming down to the wire and its very difficult. In an earlier post I stated my wife will soon have the opportunity to present her case in front of a judge for her SSDI. To this day we are still trying to show this judge papers received from her work that she had received 6 months sick leave with dates, amounts etc. Even with that info the judge now wants a cover letter from her former employer and stated my wife's time is running out to prove her short term disability pay was just that, not worked performed. Now her doctor, after 3 years, wants to perform a FCE on her. She may refuse to do this test because of her pain, she just wants to be left alone.

I believe saw a guy doing a FCE test when I was at PT a couple of yrs ago-
his was for an electrician trade. He had to twist wires and nut's-bolts at all angles, use screw drivers, tolls of that trade.
he was having to stop and rest and the PT tester took notes and recorded the status of the testee.

here is a snip & link to the full PDF article about FCE - better than I can explain since I only saw the one in process.

[GUIDELINES: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY: EVALUATING FUNCTIONAL
CAPACITY BOD G10-08-01-01 [Retitled: Occupational Health Guidelines: Evaluating Functional
Capacity, Amended BOD G11-01-07-11; BOD 03-01-16-54; BOD 03-00-25-60; BOD 11-97-16-53]
[Guideline]
1.0 Introduction
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive battery of performance based tests that
is used commonly to determine ability for work, activities of daily living, or leisure activities.1
The need for functional evaluation was identified in the 1980s by workers’ compensation systems that
required specific information about worker functional capacities and limitations to expedite the return-
to-work process. Historically, return-to-work decisions were based upon diagnoses and prognoses of
physicians, but did not include objective measurements of worker functional abilities and job match
demands. Physical therapists, whose core competencies include functional evaluation, began to
develop functional capacity tests for comparison to the physical demands of jobs and occupations.
These functional tests initially examined and evaluated the ability of a worker to perform physical job
match conditions as described by the US Department of Labor in Selected Characteristics of
Occupations as Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles2 and The Revised
Handbook for Analyzing Jobs.3 Functional examination/evaluation, combined with diagnoses and
prognoses by physical therapists has emerged as a valid and effective tool to support safe return to
work, activities of daily living or leisure activities after an injury or illness]
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...rJZ-9DxXZUHjMQ

Thanks Jo*mar for the link. I pray this doesn't cause too much stress.

Well I broke the news and it isn't good. Has anyone with RSD ever taken this test? Thanks a bunch for any replies.

Jim,

I feel so bad a for your wife and you. I have never heard of it but I am in PT currently and I will ask my PT person and see if I can get any info. for you.

This is truly a nightmare my heart goes out to you guys. But keep plugging you'll get it. One question who ordered this type of test?

Gabbycakes.

I'll post to you later. I won't be home until about 1PM EST.

Gabbycakes

Thanks Gabbycakes. Out of the blue, her doctor. I am extremely freaked about this and my wife is ready to just pack it up and leave everything behind. However, I've explained to her just take this test, we are now pulling all her records from this doctor for the judge and let the chips fall. She's not in good shape, she's in her 50s, her right arm is crippled, legs are swollen etc. she's in constant pain. I truly believe she will win out.

Hi Jim,

As I said I would ask my PT what this test was all about. He knew what I meant as soon as I said it. What he said is it is a test they use for disability cases, WC, etc. He stressed that they have tests they use that are designed to see if the person is really disabled or not they try and catch the patient doing something they should not be doing or stated they couldn't. He said they get a report of what was stated on the original papers that your wife filled out and go from there. This sounds like a very unfair test. I told him is was for a goverment employer and he said they are the worse. He also stated that not all PT Facilities do it because it is very timely and most don't want to get involved.

I wish you guys all the best with this one.

Gabbycakes

Thanks gabbycakes. Suzy's original report would be several years ago. She wasn't a government employee but a government contractor instead. Either way she can't do much and the stress is a killer for her. I can see what is going to happen even before it begins. I would think a good lawyer with access to 8 years of history with this condition should be able to debunk it. This whole process makes me ill.

I'll also add this doctor has stated my wife has RSD. She has treated my wife's swollen limbs, referred her to major hospitals for infusions etc....on and on and on. It seems this doctor is very disappointed that Suzy has not improved much better than she has. Now, several months ago Suzy did mentioned to the doc she did cut her meds down because of the cost of them at the time (over $1000 a month) in which the doc respond with drug tests. I was not aware of this cutting down but I did notice increased pain with her.

How can a test like this trump everything that was done these past 8 years dealing with a chronic incurable, progressive disease. I'm totally baffled.

If it is the cost of meds that is the reason she is cutting back and no ins - many of the drug companies have programs for discounted or even free meds.

One is called needy meds I believe.
And the manufacturers have programs set up also , so you could contact them directly, if you want to find out more.

found it-
http://www.needymeds.org/

more info on rx help-
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=...9d13023017841d