Table 1

Alerting features of a possible serious condition (red flag), which may present with shoulder pain [7,8].

POSSIBLE SERIOUS CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN (RED FLAGS)
Signs of infection (fever)
Violent trauma
History of drug abuse
Swelling
Weight loss
Pain at rest
Age over 50
Night sweats
History of previous malignancy
History of fall
Constant, non mechanical pain
No precipitating event (for onset)
Palpable deformities of bone/tissue
HIV
Widespread neurological symptoms/signs


Pribicevic and Pollard Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2005 13:20   doi:10.1186/1746-1340-13-20