Lower Extremities Weakness ICD-10-CM Codes | 2023

What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Lower Extremities Weakness?

Lower extremities weakness refers to the loss of strength or reduced function in the legs, leading to difficulty walking, standing, or performing daily activities. Various underlying conditions, such as neurological disorders, musculoskeletal problems, or systemic diseases, can cause it. Accurate coding of lower extremities weakness is crucial for proper diagnosis, treatment, and reimbursement in healthcare settings. The following are six to ten commonly used ICD-10-CM codes for lower extremities weakness, along with brief clinical descriptions for each code:

G72.3 - Periodic paralysis

This code indicates episodes of temporary paralysis or weakness that occur periodically in the lower extremities, often due to genetic or metabolic disorders.

M62.81 - Muscle weakness (generalized)

This code encompasses weakness affecting multiple muscle groups, including the lower extremities, without a specific cause identified.

G83.1 - Spastic hemiplegia and hemiparesis

This code is used when there is weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body, including the lower extremities, due to damage or dysfunction in the brain's motor pathways.

G83.4 - Spastic quadriplegia and quadriparesis

This code indicates weakness or partial paralysis affecting all four limbs, including the lower extremities, due to brain damage or dysfunction.

M62.82 - Muscle weakness (localized)

This code is used when weakness is limited to specific muscle groups, such as those in the lower extremities, without a specific cause identified.

G72.4 - Drug-induced myopathy

This code is used when weakness in the lower extremities is caused by certain medications that induce muscle damage or weakness.

G81.9 - Hemiplegia, unspecified

This code is used when complete paralysis or weakness affects one side of the body, including the lower extremities, but the cause is not specified.

G72.5 - Mitochondrial myopathy

This code indicates weakness in the lower extremities due to genetic disorders affecting the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells.

M62.831 - Muscle weakness (localized), right lower limb

This code specifies localized weakness in the muscles of the right lower extremity, allowing for more precise documentation.

G82.2 - Paraplegia, unspecified

This code is used when paralysis or weakness affects both lower limbs but not the arms, with no specific cause specified.

Which Lower Extremities Weakness ICD codes are Billable?

G72.3 - Periodic paralysis

Yes, this code is billable. It represents a condition characterized by episodic paralysis in the lower extremities and is recognized as a distinct entity for accurate diagnosis and appropriate reimbursement.

M62.81 - Muscle weakness (generalized)

No, this code is not billable on its own. It is a non-specific code indicating generalized muscle weakness without a specific cause. A more specific diagnosis or underlying cause must be documented to bill for this condition.

G83.1 - Spastic hemiplegia and hemiparesis

Yes, this code is billable. It represents weakness or paralysis affecting one side of the body, including the lower extremities, due to brain damage or dysfunction, allowing for appropriate diagnosis and reimbursement.

G83.4 - Spastic quadriplegia and quadriparesis

Yes, this code is billable. It indicates weakness or paralysis affecting all four limbs, including the lower extremities, due to brain damage or dysfunction, providing necessary information for accurate billing.

M62.82 - Muscle weakness (localized)

No, this code is not billable on its own. It represents localized muscle weakness without a specific cause identified. A more specific diagnosis or underlying cause needs to be documented to bill for this condition.

G72.4 - Drug-induced myopathy

Yes, this code is billable. It signifies weakness in the lower extremities caused by medications that induce muscle damage or weakness, allowing for appropriate documentation and billing.

G81.9 - Hemiplegia, unspecified

Yes, this code is billable. It represents complete paralysis or weakness affecting one side of the body, including the lower extremities, even when the underlying cause is not specified, enabling proper coding and reimbursement.

G72.5 - Mitochondrial myopathy

Yes, this code is billable. It denotes weakness in the lower extremities caused by mitochondrial disorders, recognized as a distinct condition for accurate diagnosis and appropriate billing.

M62.831 - Muscle weakness (localized), right lower limb

No, this code is not billable on its own. It specifies localized weakness in the muscles of the right lower extremity without a specific cause identified. Additional information or a more specific diagnosis is required for billing purposes.

G82.2 - Paraplegia, unspecified

Yes, this code is billable. It represents paralysis or weakness affecting both lower limbs without involving the arms, even when the underlying cause is not specified, allowing for accurate coding and reimbursement.

Clinical Information

• Lower extremities weakness refers to losing strength or reduced leg function, leading to difficulties walking, standing, or performing daily activities.
• Various underlying conditions, such as neurological disorders, musculoskeletal problems, or systemic diseases, can cause it.
• Patients with lower extremities weakness may experience symptoms such as decreased muscle strength, difficulty in coordination and balance, limited range of motion, and impaired mobility.
• Common neurological causes include stroke, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy.
• Musculoskeletal causes may include muscle strains, ligament sprains, fractures, osteoarthritis, and muscular dystrophy.
• Systemic conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and autoimmune disorders can also contribute to lower extremities weakness.
• Diagnosis of the underlying cause involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and possibly imaging studies, nerve conduction tests, or blood tests.
• Treatment options depend on the specific cause and may include physical therapy, medication management, assistive devices, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications.
• Management aims to improve muscle strength, enhance mobility, alleviate pain, address the underlying condition, and enhance the patient's overall quality of life.
• Collaborative care involving healthcare professionals from different specialties, such as neurology, orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and physiotherapy, is often required for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

Synonyms Include:

• Leg weakness
• Lower limb weakness
• Weakness in the lower extremities
• Leg muscle weakness
• Decreased leg strength
• Impaired lower limb function
• Loss of leg power