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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Leg Weakness Leads to General Codes

Published on Fri Jul 22, 2005

Question: What is the appropriate diagnosis code for "leg weakness"?


Kansas Subscriber
Answer: You'll find few weakness codes in the ICD-9 book, but you should review with your neurologist the diagnosis codes for generalized weakness and muscle weakness: 780.79 (Other malaise and fatigue) and 728.87 (Muscle weakness).

Ask what the neurologist means by "leg weakness." Has he documented muscle weakness, or is the patient simply complaining of "being weak in the legs," a phrase that might mean generalized fatigue or weakness?

For example, you wouldn't use the general 728.87 for facial droop. The answers to further investigation would direct you to the appropriate, more specific code - 781.94 (Facial weakness).
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