Red & Yellow Flags (Magee)

Question 1

Red Flags: Cancer

Answer 1

• persistent pain at night
• constant pain anywhere in the body
• unexplained weight loss
• loss of appetite
• unusual lumps or growths
• unwarranted fatigue

Question 2

Red Flags: Cardiovascular

Answer 2

• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• pain or a feeling of heaviness in the chest
• pulsating pain anywhere in the body
• constant and severe pain in the lower leg (calf) or arm
• discolored or painful feet
• swelling (no history of injury)

Question 3

Red Flags: Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary

Answer 3

• frequent or severe abdominal pain
• frequent heartburn or indigestion
• frequent N/V
• change in or problems with bowel and/or bladder function (ex: UTI)
• unusual menstrual irregularities

Question 4

Red Flags: Miscellaneous

Answer 4

• fever or night sweats
• recent severe emotional disturbances
• swelling or redness in any joint with no history of injury
• pregnancy

Question 5

Red Flags: Neurological

Answer 5

• changes in hearing
• frequent or severe headaches with no history of injury
• problems with swallowing or changes in speech
• changes in vision
• problems with balance, coordination, or falling
• faint spells (drop attacks)
• sudden weakness

Question 6

Yellow Flags

Answer 6

• abnormal s/s (unusual pattern of complaints)
• bilateral symptoms
• symptoms peripheralizing
• neurological symptoms (nerve root or peripheral nerve)
• multiple nerve root involvement
• abnormal sensation patterns (do not follow dermatome or peripheral nerve patterns)
• saddle anesthesia
• UMN symptoms (spinal cord) signs
• fainting
• drop attacks
• vertigo
• ANS symptoms
• progressive weakness
• progressive gait disturbances
• multiple inflamed joints
• psychosocial stresses
• circulatory or skin changes