Injury Recovery 101: The Functional Capacity Evaluation Explained
Introduction:
Injuries don’t just impact your body. They disrupt your routines, your livelihood, and your sense of independence. Whether you’re a small business owner with employees, a solo entrepreneur, or someone working for a company, recovering from an injury and returning to work can bring a lot of uncertainty. If your doctor, attorney, or insurance adjuster has mentioned a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) and you’re not quite sure what it is or if you even need one, this post is for you.
Let’s break it down in plain language.
What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to measure your physical and functional abilities after an injury or medical event. It answers critical questions like:
Can you return to your job safely?
Do you need work restrictions (such as lifting limits or shorter shifts)?
How long can you sit, stand, lift, or carry items?
Are pain, weakness, or fatigue limiting your abilities?
Is your recovery progressing as expected or is more treatment needed?
The results help doctors, employers, attorneys, and insurance companies make informed decisions and they may even be used in legal proceedings.
Who Needs an FCE?
While often this testing is linked to workers’ compensation or legal claims, FCEs benefit anyone needing clear, objective insight into their physical capabilities, especially after injury, illness, surgery, or extended inactivity. So, in short, anyone can benefit from FCE testing. Here are a few areas where FCEs can be beneficial.
Workers’ Compensation or Job-Related Injuries
If you were hurt on the job, you may be required to complete an FCE to:
Confirm what tasks you can (and cannot) safely perform
Determine if you can return to your previous position
Identify if you need restrictions like limited lifting or shorter standing times
Help resolve disputes around your work capacity or long-term prognosis
In states like Nebraska, objective FCE data plays a key role in legal and financial decision-making.
Return-to-Work Planning (Post-Injury or Surgery)
Even if your injury wasn’t work-related, FCEs offer valuable information for those preparing to re-enter the workforce. It can help you avoid pushing too hard too soon and risking setbacks.
This includes:
People recovering from orthopedic surgeries (knee, shoulder, back, etc.)
Individuals recovering from illnesses such as long COVID or cancer
Small business owners or gig workers without HR support
Clarifying Medical Uncertainty
Sometimes, X-rays or doctor’s notes don’t tell the full story. An FCE provides real-world data to guide next steps. Your doctors or healthcare providers may recommend an FCE to:
Support disability applications
Back up movement or lifting restrictions
Guide rehab plans or workplace accommodations
Employers Who Want to Do the Right Thing
If you’re a small business owner supporting an injured employee, an FCE helps you:
Identify safe, specific tasks the employee can do
Prevent re-injury or unnecessary time off
Provide documentation to protect your business and support HR decisions
FCEs Aren’t Just for Work Injuries…Here’s Who Else Benefits
Even if you weren’t hurt on the job, an FCE can still help if:
You’re living with chronic fatigue or pain and need clarity on your limits
You’re considering a more physical job or a career shift
You’re recovering from illness or surgery and unsure what you can handle
You’re a caregiver and want to ensure you can safely assist a loved one
You’re applying for Social Security or long-term disability insurance
You simply want a data-backed baseline for smart fitness or rehab goals
Think of it like a stress test for your everyday life that covers those normal tasks like carrying groceries, climbing stairs, standing all day, or typing for hours. An FCE can help you:
Avoid injury by understanding your safe limits
Track your recovery over time
Communicate effectively with doctors, employers, or insurance
Create a clear plan to re-enter work, caregiving, or daily responsibilities
What Happens During an FCE?
At DRM Wellness, our Functional Capacity Evaluations typically last 3–4 hours and include:
A full medical history and symptom interview
Range of motion, posture, and strength testing
Simulated job or daily tasks (lifting, squatting, sitting, reaching, etc.)
Endurance and functional movement assessment
A follow-up call the next day to check on symptoms or pain levels It’s a supportive environment, not a boot camp.
We never push beyond your safe limits. Our goal is to understand what you can do today, not to test your pain tolerance.
Why Accuracy and Objectivity Matter
FCEs influence critical decisions about your care, your job, and your financial future. That’s why evaluations must be performed by trained, unbiased professionals with strong documentation skills. At DRM Wellness, every FCE includes:
Clear, well-organized reports for physicians, attorneys, or employers.
Clinical reasoning for every recommendation
Consideration of pain, fatigue, and pacing, not just raw strength
Photos of tested activities (only if needed for documentation)
How This Helps Small Business Owners
Whether you’re recovering from your own injury, supporting an employee’s return-to-work plan or just navigating insurance or legal claims, a Functional Capacity Evaluation gives you the facts to make informed, safe decisions. It reduces guesswork, accelerates resolution, and helps protect your team and your bottom line.
Why Choose DRM Wellness?
At DRM Wellness, we specialize in one-on-one FCEs tailored to each client, right here in Omaha. We work closely with:
Injured business owners and employees
Physicians looking for outside verification
Attorneys and insurers needing solid documentation
We also offer:
Home or job site visits for return-to-work evaluations
Home Safety evaluations
Quick, clear communication with all involved parties
Conclusion:
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is about more than just paperwork or checklists. It’s about empowering you with knowledge. It provides a clear, honest picture of what your body can handle right now and helps guide the path forward. Whether you're an entrepreneur rebuilding after a setback, an employee preparing to return to a demanding job, or a caregiver balancing your own needs with the needs of others, an FCE supports that journey. It’s a tool for restoring confidence, protecting your health, and planning your next steps with clarity and purpose. At its core, an FCE is about reclaiming your independence so you can move forward safely, sustainably, and on your own terms.
If you think a Functional Capacity Evaluation might be the right next step, or if you're unsure and just want to talk through your options, give us a call at DRM Wellness. We’re here to help.
In addition to comprehensive FCEs, DRM Wellness also offers:
Traditional Occupational Therapy services
Aging in Place Services
Home safety evaluations
Personal training and wellness for plus-sized and larger bodied individuals
Legal support services for injury or disability cases
Whether you're an individual navigating recovery or a business owner supporting your team, our goal is simple: to help you develop skills, restore function, and maintain health and independence..with compassion, clarity, and expert care.
