The unknown can be a scary time for most of us. Uncertainty or a change regarding the ability
to earn a living is no exception. When a job injury occurs one of the first things everyone wants
to know is how long before I can return to work?
In Texas the workers’ compensation system requires the treating doctor or primary doctor of
record to determine return to work status upon the initial office visit and at least every 30 days
to follow.
The treating doctor is required to determine two things:
1. Can the injured worker return to work at the present time and if not the initial time the worker is to be off work
(not to exceed 30 days without re-evaluation) and
2. If the injured worker can return to work then at what capacity light duty or full duty?
In order to determine your ability to return to work a test is commonly performed called a
functional capacity evaluation (FCE). Similar tests are called physical performance evaluations
(PPE) or physical performance tests (PPT).
The purpose of the FCE/PPE/PPT is to compare your current ability to perform various physical
tasks compared to your job requirements. The test measures cardiovascular or heart rate
conditioning as well as range of motion, strength and endurance. These findings provide
information to your doctor to better determine if and when you can return to work and at what
level light duty or regular duty.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the test is that it allows your consistency through
electronic computerized equipment. This procedure is designed to validate the effort and thus
better validate your injury in case there are any existing or potential disputes on the case. Of
course this is a double edged sword as the insurance company can and do order these tests as
well. Regardless of who requests them it is important to be consistent and give an accurate
effort.
In addition to the FCE/PPE/PPT, the return to work process can also be expedited by timely
diagnostic testing such as MRI, EMG and NCV’s. Also, based on the findings of these tests, an
early referral to a specialist such as a pain management doctor, neurologist or orthopedic
surgeon can assist in determining the short term and long term prospects of treatment options,
recovery and return to work.
The most important thing about return to work is effective communication between your
doctor, your employer and the insurance company. The unknown status of your health and
finances can certainly lead to unwanted stress and a delayed recovery. Therefore, insist on a
doctor that both knows and cares about you and your efficient return to health in order to have
a successful return to work.
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