Red Flags
While the Danish flag is predominantly red and Danes, particularly our own Annette Storm Williams, like to wave them, in this instance 'Red Flags' are indications that something other than simple back pain may be causing your problem.
Research undertaken and published in all fields of healthcare are grouped together to form a ‘knowledge base’ sometimes referred to as 'the literature'. The findings of the research gives us 'evidence' and this is used to create 'guidelines'. Red Flags are those pieces of evidence that suggest further investigation is indicated as the patient may be suffering from something other than a straightforward problem. As the name suggests when a clinician sees a ‘Red Flag’ he or she should stop and think!
Red Flags can come from who you are, what you tell us about your life, your medical history, your symptoms, what is found on examination and how you respond during treatment. In the field of back pain Red Flags are those pieces of information which suggest that the patient may not just have a mechanical back pain.
Red Flags do not tell us exactly what it is that is wrong but offer an opportunity for your Spine Team practitioner to stop, think, check and if necessary investigate. Equally if you have any concerns it is always best to discuss them with your practitioner; there are some situations where you may have other signs or symptoms that to you do not appear to you to relate to your back but could be important.
If there are any concerns regarding any aspect of your problem, including possible red flags, your Spine Team practitioner will communicate with your GP.
