International Framework for Red Flags for Potential Serious Spinal Pathologies
- PMID: 32438853
- DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2020.9971
International Framework for Red Flags for Potential Serious Spinal Pathologies
Abstract
The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) led the development of a framework to help clinicians assess and manage people who may have serious spinal pathology. While rare, serious spinal pathology can have devastating and life-changing or life-limiting consequences, and must be identified early and managed appropriately. Red flags (signs and symptoms that might raise suspicion of serious spinal pathology) have historically been used by clinicians to identify serious spinal pathology. Currently, there is an absence of high-quality evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of most red flags. This framework is intended to provide a clinical-reasoning pathway to clarify the role of red flags. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(7):350-372. Epub 21 May 2020. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9971.
Keywords: cauda equina syndrome; clinical reasoning; malignancy; spinal fracture; spinal infection.
Similar articles
-
International Framework for Examination of the Cervical Region for Potential of Vascular Pathologies of the Neck Prior to Musculoskeletal Intervention: International IFOMPT Cervical Framework.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023 Jan;53(1):7-22. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2022.11147. Epub 2022 Sep 13. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023. PMID: 36099171
-
Sensitivity and specificity of patient-entered red flags for lower back pain.Spine J. 2019 Feb;19(2):293-300. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2018.06.342. Epub 2018 Jun 26. Spine J. 2019. PMID: 29959102
-
Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department: Prevalence of Serious Spinal Pathologies and Diagnostic Accuracy of Red Flags.Am J Med. 2020 Jan;133(1):60-72.e14. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.06.005. Epub 2019 Jul 3. Am J Med. 2020. PMID: 31278933
-
Evaluation and treatment of acute back pain in the emergency department.Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2015 May;33(2):311-26. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2014.12.005. Epub 2015 Feb 26. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2015. PMID: 25892724 Review.
-
Back pain "red flags": which are most predictive of serious pathology in the Emergency Department?Eur Spine J. 2020 Aug;29(8):1870-1878. doi: 10.1007/s00586-020-06452-1. Epub 2020 Jun 3. Eur Spine J. 2020. PMID: 32495276
Cited by
-
The association between guideline adherent radiographic imaging by chiropractic students and the diagnostic yield of clinically significant findings.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2021 Apr;65(1):66-75. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2021. PMID: 34035542 Free PMC article.
-
Treatment Effect of CT-Guided Periradicular Injections in Context of Different Contrast Agent Distribution Patterns.Diagnostics (Basel). 2022 Mar 23;12(4):787. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12040787. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022. PMID: 35453835 Free PMC article.
-
Low-back related leg pain: is the nerve guilty? How to differentiate the underlying pain mechanism.J Man Manip Ther. 2023 Apr;31(2):57-63. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2022.2092266. Epub 2022 Jun 23. J Man Manip Ther. 2023. PMID: 35735104 Free PMC article.
-
Lumbar spondylolisthesis: STATE of the art on assessment and conservative treatment.Arch Physiother. 2021 Aug 9;11(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s40945-021-00113-2. Arch Physiother. 2021. PMID: 34372944 Free PMC article.
-
An unusual presentation of acute myocardial infarction in physiotherapy direct access: findings from a case report.Arch Physiother. 2021 Feb 15;11(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s40945-021-00099-x. Arch Physiother. 2021. PMID: 33583432 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical