Yellow Flags in Back Pain
- Inappropriate attitudes and beliefs about back pain
- Inappropriate pain behaviour
- Work related problems or compensation issues
- Emotional problems
“Risk Factors for Chronicity” (DH CSAG report of 1994). Early management of these factors may have a significant impact on prognosis
They include the following;
- Previous history LBP
- Total work loss (due to LBP) in the last 12 months
- Radiating leg pain
- Reduced SLR
- Signs of root involvement
- Reduced trunk muscle strength
- Poor physical fitness
- Heavy smoking
- Self-rated poor health
- Psychological distress
- Depressive symptoms
- Disproportionate illness behaviour
- Low job satisfaction
- Personal Problems
- Medico-legal proceedings
Pain Service Website, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Webmaster Dr J G de Courcy, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia
email: pain.webmaster[at]glos.nhs.uk