Orthopedic Coding Alert
Brush Up on Heel Spurs
Published on Tue Feb 12, 2013
Heel spur, also called calcaneal spur, may be caused by the tears in the origin of the plantar fascia at the calcaneus. The plantar fascia is a layer of fibrous connective tissue that originates in the heel bone and fans out to insert in the metatarsals. Due to excessive use or microtrauma, the plantar fascia may tear at its origin on the heel bone. If adequate healing does not occur, calcium deposits may collect to form an exostosis or protrusion which constitutes the heel spur.
Dx code: You report diagnosis code 726.73 (Calcaneal spur) for this condition.
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