OK, here's what our clinical advisor had to say:

Some parameters I use when evaluating an injured Mental Health Attendant, Prison Guard or Police officer include verifying an ability to:

Lift at least 100 lbs. to waist level.

Forcefully use of the UE's in multiple planes and in opposition. Throw/catch medicine/therapy balls.

Swing and strike with a baton type implement at different angles as relevant (not for Mental Health Attendants!).

Simulate firing a pistol (hold a hammer or similar item and strike with another tool to simulate recoil). Try with the client looking away. Look for signs of CTP. Use safety glasses and posturing like firing a pistol. Ask them if they have been to the target range and fired their weapon.

Run/transition quickly. RMS testing is a good place to evaluate this.

Wrestle. Start with standing core strength demonstrations and progress to more awkward positions. Have a safe word and progress to going for it till you feel comfortable with the results or the client reports a change in symptoms. Some key things I try to remember when it comes to the issue of restraint;

Not all guards and attendants are the same size/have the same physical power and not all prisoners/mental health recipients are the same size. This is a nebulous job demand. Pay special attention to RPDR-look for a trend in Reliability-are they reliable about other abilities? Also, see if there is a Physical Agility Test the client will have to perform prior to a RTW at the academy. If available, test for those very abilities in your FCE.

Hope this helps!

Not diagnosis specific. We treat a variety of injuries (knee, spine, shoulder, upper extremity, ankle, etc). Question is directed from a general perspective and not patient specific.

Hello Elizabeth,

What is the diagnosis?

Thank you,

Jenn