PAIN-FLAGS

SUMMARY

1. Red flags: serious medical pathology such as malignancy, infections, prolapsed intervertebral discs leading to cauda equina compression and medical comorbidities such as RA and DM.

2. Orange flags: mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, personality disorders, social conflict (these are characterised by increasing complexity of presentation & poor predictor of outcome for pain management).

3. Yellow flags: psychological factors such as perceptions, beliefs and behaviours.

4. Blue flags: work environment issues such as perception of the lack of support in the workplace and social issues.

5. Black flags: compensation and financial gains.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.