What NOT to do during your FCE! (Functional Capacity Evaluations)

If you're scheduled to have an FCE (Functional Capacity Evaluation), it's normal to be a bit concerned or nervous.

After all, why does someone want to "evaluate" you for 4-6 hours?

And what are they looking for?

In this 3rd video about FCEs, I'll explain 3 things you want to avoid during your FCE, and I'll share 2 additional pieces of information that should help you achieve a successful test.

Watch the video for all these details!

And please leave any questions or comments below, and I'll do my best to help :-)

- Luke Gordon, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy/Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy)

[synithiamalone]

It’s sad that our results are determined by other humans when it’s the patient that’s in pain.

[lattinasadler]

I had a fce done, and they almost killed me. I left in so much pain. That was cruel and unusual punishment. My whole body hurts!

[lightforthesun]

The thing about these exams, people won’t tell you directly but I’ll say it. They’re generally exams to see if you’re faking your injury. The examiners do not give a rats butt about your pain nor do physical therapist. They’re typically against you, no matter how friendly they seem. They are made to belittle your injury as much as possible because they believe it’s a mental side to it. Just as a little kid who didn’t actually hit their head but you console them anyway and they start crying, that is how you’re treated. Regardless of how much pain you are in, just cooperate and push to your absolute limit. The only way you cannot perform the test is if you literally pass out or lose grip functioning. Don’t be scared of these people, they’re generally scared of you, because you’re the one that’s injured and in pain. You have to ability to revisit doctors and endlessly search for a solution until you are completely healed. If they clear you back to work, file an appeal and get a lawyer. You may have to go to your own doctor. Workers compensation adjusters are evil. They always have email options, always email them, so you can have everything documented. Never do phone calls. Remember, they are not on your side! They are always on the employers side unless you go to your own doctor. That’s my 2cents.

[MarkStoltman-mu]

Man I wish I had come across this video before my FCE last Friday. The administrator told me all my restrictions were removed for the duration of my appointment and to pretend as if I never had them to begin with. Then when giving me instructions to lift weights onto shelf etc. said it didn’t matter how I got them up there, the more I was able to lift the better it was for me. Told me to use my body to help get everything up and keep my elbows tucked at my side so I didn’t have to extend my arms..this after 2 shoulder surgeries and still no fix

[SmartCareerPath]

Super useful! Thank you for the information, Dr. Gordon!

[alondranelson]

This is my downfall... pushing through, not being able to function for days after, but all the evaluators not taking that into consideration after i've told them that, and them still saying that I can do what I can not. I think i'm heading towards an atty and it's only for long term disability. They completely ignore my cognitive issues. It's a draining nightmare.
thanks for advice

[heatherj]

I had my fce and when I told them something was hurting really bad and they needed to remove some of the weight they refused to do so. It ended up with me getting some symptoms that had been gone after my fusion. Four days later I am still hurting. This lady tried to argue that my toes and foot was not numb. The just had me bend at the waist and didn't use anything to measure just said 40% was all I could bend. They based this on my finger tips. So, because I have long hands and fingers my % is higher than someone with short arms and fingers. I would have thought they had a proper way to measure. They also said my left leg was a -3 when they were pushing on it but refused to tell me what it meant. Pushed on my head and gave me an instant headache. Not even sure why they pushed on my head.

[TheDith]

My doctor has ordered one of these to help her with continuing to fill out attending physician statements for my LTD claim where she has to put my limitations, ever seen a doc use this for that before?

[camacho]

What sucks is that I’ve been cleared to go back to work but my employer doesn’t want me back

[amyhunnicutt]

I have some questions regarding pain while taking and after the FCE. I’m not worker’s comp. I’m filing for disability due to fibromyalgia, heart failure and painful bladder syndrome. My physical limitations and pain cause a lot of “fear”. For example, I know what I will physically and mentally pay for with pain for days later if I do something too physical. How do I safely show effort but at the same time, I know my limits and the price I’ll pay? Can you tell them, I’m unable to do what your asking & still be seen as making a good effort on some things?

[scottschatzer]

Thank you Luke for your time in answering my concerns on the FCE
questions. I'm certainly a bit nervous on the FCE. I WILL give my best
effort I just pray that the evaluator is fair on his or her analysis.
The Dr. is a concern as well. Being a workmans comp case
I believe he is more interested in getting me an MMI so he can be through
with the case. I wonder if I can get another Dr's opinion and suggest to my
attorney that I would like one.
Again Thanks for your time Luke and responding,
Scott Schatzer

[thereal]

Work comp is a business.. for everyone, please remember that.

[MP-flph]

Is a FCE for people who are still employed with their company. My company terminated my job due to my restrictions and permanent injury and said they had nothing for me to do.

[jdesrosiers]

Hi, I watched a couple of your videos on FCEs. I am not on workers comp. I applied for disability retirement 2 years early due to over 24 years with a severe issue with my sacroiliac and lower legs and feet. I'm told the FCE is used to find some job that I can do. In fact I talked to a practitioner who does FCEs and they said they would be testing my pain levels to see what job I can handle with my pain levels. He thought it was amazing to push me to an FCE since I was so close to retirement. Have you heard of using FCEs for people like me? I know I can go in and suffer through the tests, but then be at home for a week, and not able to live normally. Any thoughts?

[BrandoNutz]

I have a FCE scheduled for 8am in the morning! My lawyer just called me and told me to give it 100% through everything just don’t get hurt. Makes me nervous someone might say I’m not being consistent even if I’m doing my best.

[ignaziolaudando]

What is your office and do you recommend any good physical therapy places in Southwest Florida?

[scottschatzer]

Thanks Luke,
Great Information. I just finished a work conditioning program after 24 visits to physical therapy.
They told me the next thing is an FCE. This is my 2nd rotator cuff / bicep tendon surgery since June 25, 2020
Do revisions on this type of surgery take longer to heal because my 2nd surgery was on March 18, 2021 and
i'm still struggling on impingement and bicep cramping up. Both of them are workmans comp claims. My Dr. seems to be
rushing me back to work. He thinks i should be healed but i'm not at all. I am 63 years old and just wanted your opinion.
Can you give me any suggestions on what to ask the FCE instructor ?
Can you tell me what to ask my Dr. after we review the FCE ?
Also any tips to ask my attorney ?
Many thanks to you in advance,
Scott Schatzer

[Fishing_Obsession]

Is there any negative things from doing an fce? Like can the workman’s comp company deem you unable to work and make your employer get rid of you?

[apriladair]

Hi! I was just wondering if you could answer a question for me. I actually just had an FCE yesterday and I feel as though I did good with the test and I’m also going by what my physical therapist said. However, I was having a hard time with my heart rate being at my max and she had to keep waiting for it to come down before I could start again. Could my high heart rate affect the FCE in a negative way? Thank you for your time and I appreciate it!

[JerseyGirl]

I have calfic tendinitis, it’s mostly when my shoulders are overused that it flares up. The issue is my job as a flight attendant, the cabin pressure makes it worse and I continually use the shoulders at work..that’s when it makes it unbearable …but a FCE test I don’t know if would recognize this? I’m on leave and filing for Disability, I was recommended to get this done…but under the circumstances I’m not sure if it work against me. Any advice welcomed, thank you.