Red Flags
Red Flag Histories Associated with the Lower Extremity
If no neuromuscular or musculoskeletal cause of the client's symptoms can be identified, then the therapist must consider the following follow-up questions:
- Previous history of cancer
- Previous history of renal or urologic disease such as kidney stones and UTIs
- Trauma/assault (fall, blow, lifting)
- History of infectious or inflammatory condition: Crohn's disease (regional enteritis), ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, Reiter's disease, appendicitis
- History of gynecologic condition(s): recent pregnancy, childbirth, or abortion
- History of alcoholism (e.g. hip osteonecrosis)
- Long term use of immunosuppressants
- History of heart disease
- History of AIDS
- History of hematologic disease, such as sickle cell anemia or hemophilia
If no neuromuscular or musculoskeletal cause of the client's symptoms can be identified, then the therapist must consider the following follow-up questions:
- Are red flags suggestive of a viscerogenic cause of pain or symptoms?
- What kind of pain patterns do we expect to see with each of the viscerogenic causes?
- Are any associated signs and symptoms suggestive of a particular organ system?
- An accumulation of multiple red flags requires immediate medical referral
- Additionally, pain that is not relieved with rest and continues through the night is suggestive of other conditions (infection, cancer, etc.) and requires medical referral.