Red/ yellow/blue/ black flags

Question 1

What are the red flags (refer out) that would indicate cancer

Answer 1

1. H/o cancer
2. Night pain at rest
3. Unexplained weight loss
4. > 50 or <17
5. Failure to improve within expected time frame

Question 2

Red flags that would indicate infection

Answer 2

1. immunosuppressed
2. Prolonged temp > 100.4
3. H/o IV drug use
4. Recent UTI, cellulitis, pneumonia

Question 3

Red flags that would indicate vertebral fracture

Answer 3

1. Prolonged corticosteroid use
2. mild trauma > 50 y/o
3. Age > 70
4. Osteoporosis
5. Recent trauma- fall > 5 feet, MVA
6. Bruising over spine

Question 4

Red flags that indicate AAA

Answer 4

1. palpable mass on the abdomen
2. Atherosclerosis vascular disease
3. throbbing/pulsing back pain at rest
4. Age > 60 y/o

Question 5

Yellow flags- what are they and what do they indicate

Answer 5

Psychosocial factors that indicate increased risk for disability- use FABQ, start Back, depression ?

1. emotional distress
2. Hypervigilence
3. pain catastrophizing
4. elevated fear avoidance beliefs
5. low self efficacy
6. misunderstanding nature and impact of pain
7. misunderstanding best strategy for long term success

Question 6

What are blue flags?

Answer 6

injured workers- with disability/ work comp cases
1. low job satisfaction
2. wanting a vocational change- different role
3. having worksite challenges
4. don’t like job
5. not motivated to return
may need a psych consult/vocational rehab

Question 7

What are black flags?

Answer 7

Financial/ societal issues- disability, cant return to work

Reimbursement incentives to stay disabled