Functional Capacity Evaluations
Understanding What Someone Can Actually Do
In many cases, the question isn’t just what the injury is — it’s what the person is capable of now.
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) answer that question in a practical, measurable way. CaseMed provides detailed assessments that focus on real-world ability — not just clinical diagnosis.
When an FCE Makes Sense
FCEs are typically used when there’s a need to understand functional ability in the context of work or daily life.
They’re especially useful when:
- Return-to-work decisions need to be made
- Functional limitations are unclear or disputed
- There’s a gap between reported symptoms and observed ability
- Long-term capacity needs to be evaluated
- A case is approaching resolution and clarity is needed
What the Evaluation Measures
This isn’t a surface-level review.
An FCE evaluates how someone performs across a range of physical demands, including:
- Strength and lifting capacity
- Endurance and repeatability
- Range of motion
- Tolerance for specific movements or positions
- Consistency of effort
The focus is on performance over time — not just what someone can do once, but what they can sustain.
What You Receive
The result is a clear, usable picture of functional ability.
You’ll receive:
- A detailed breakdown of physical capabilities
- Defined limitations and restrictions
- Insight into work capacity and tolerance
- Structured, easy-to-follow reporting
The goal is clarity — something decision-makers can rely on without interpretation gaps.
Where FCEs Fit in a Case
FCEs often come into play when a case moves beyond diagnosis and into practical impact.
They may support:
- Return-to-work planning
- Disability and benefit determinations
- Vocational assessments and employability analysis
- Life care planning
- Legal strategy and expert opinions
By grounding the case in measurable performance, FCEs help reduce uncertainty and move decisions forward.
Built for Real Decisions
FCEs are often used at key turning points.
Whether the goal is to assess readiness, clarify limitations, or support a position, the evaluation needs to stand up to scrutiny beyond the report itself.
That’s why we focus on:
- Consistency and reliability
- Practical interpretation of results
- Clear connection to real-world demands
When Function Is the Question, Measurement Matters
When capacity is unclear, progress slows.
A well-executed FCE brings direction back into the process — grounded in what can actually be done.