Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question:  Can you explain the difference between Achilles and peroneal tendinitis? Which diagnosis codes should we look to for these conditions?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: The codes you’ll assign for Achilles tendinitis are the following:

• M76.60 (Achilles tendinitis, unspecified leg)
• M76.61 (… right leg)
• M76.62 (… left leg).

Achilles tendinitis defined: Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. Symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity. Episodes of more severe pain may occur after prolonged running, stair climbing or sprinting. The patient might also experience tenderness or stiffness, especially in the morning.

Treatment: According to mayoclinic.org, “most cases of Achilles tendinitis can be treated with relatively simple, at home care under. More-serious cases of Achilles tendinitis can lead to tendon tears (ruptures) that may require surgical repair.”

In contrast to Achilles tendinitis, you’ll code cases of peroneal tendinitis with one of the following ICD-10 codes, depending on encounter specifics:

• M76.70 (Peroneal tendinitis, unspecified leg)
• M76.71 (… right leg)
• M76.72 (… left leg).

The two peroneal tendons run parallel along the outer ankle bone, which can lead to confusion between peroneal tendinitis and Achilles tendinitis. According to medicalnewstoday.com, peroneal tendinitis “occurs when the peroneal tendons become inflamed. This happens when there is an increased load and overuse of the tendons, leading to them rubbing on the bone.” This friction causes the tendons to swell. Over time, the tendons will thicken in size to try and manage the increased load more efficiently.

According to medicalnewsday.com, symptoms of peroneal tendinitis include:

• Pain at the back of the ankle
• Pain that worsens during activity and lessens during rest
• Pain when turning the foot in or out
• Swelling at the back of the ankle
• Instability of the ankle when bearing weight.

Treatment: Much like Achilles tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis treatments are typically nonsurgical. Along with rest, patients with peroneal tendinitis typically receive immobilization, medication, physical therapy, and bracing as treatment.