Workers Compensation Back Injuries at Work are Hard to Manage

For example they need to have an understanding of “Red flag” and “yellow flag” signs, understand when they occur, and then manage the issues. We have provided examples.

Red flags are possible indicators of serious spinal pathology:

• Thoracic pain

• Fever and unexplained weight loss

• Bladder or bowel dysfunction

• History of carcinoma

• Ill health or presence of other medical illness

• Progressive neurological deficit

• Disturbed gait, saddle anaesthesia

• Age of onset <20 years or >55 years

Yellow flags are pyschosocial factors shown to be indicative of long term chronicity and disability:

• A negative attitude that back pain is harmful or potentially severely disabling

• Fear avoidance behaviour and reduced activity levels

• An expectation that passive, rather than active, treatment will be beneficial

• A tendency to depression, low morale, and social withdrawal

• Social or financial problems

   

  Tell us how you deal with complexity with managing a difficulty injury at work.

   

Write a comment

In the Blog

Useful Information