Find information on heel spur diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 M77.3), and treatment options. Learn about plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, inferior heel pain, and posterior heel pain symptoms, causes, and diagnosis codes. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on proper documentation and coding for heel spurs, including common misdiagnosis and differential diagnosis considerations. This resource provides comprehensive information on heel spur diagnosis for accurate medical record keeping and billing.
Also known as
Calcaneal spur
Heel spur, a bony growth on the heel bone.
Enthesopathy of calcaneus
Inflammation where tendons/ligaments attach to the heel, often related to heel spurs.
Plantar fasciitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia, often associated with heel pain and spurs.
Pain in heel
Generalized heel pain, which may be caused by a heel spur.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the heel spur symptomatic?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Heel pain from calcium deposit |
| Plantar fasciitis |
| Achilles tendinitis |
Coding lacks right or left foot specificity, leading to claim denials and inaccurate reporting. Use M77.311 or M77.312.
Pain (e.g., plantar fasciitis) coded instead of heel spur itself (M77.31), if spur confirmed. Impacts data quality.
Heel spur documented but not confirmed radiologically. Coding should reflect diagnostic certainty for proper reimbursement.
Patient presents with complaints of heel pain, consistent with plantar fasciitis and possible heel spur. The patient reports localized pain in the heel, particularly with weight-bearing in the morning or after periods of rest. Symptoms include sharp, stabbing pain upon initial ambulation, gradually improving with activity but worsening throughout the day, particularly after prolonged standing or walking. The patient denies any recent trauma to the area. Palpation reveals tenderness along the plantar fascia, specifically at the medial calcaneal tubercle. Pain is elicited with dorsiflexion of the foot. Clinical findings suggest plantar fasciitis, with a suspected calcaneal spur as a contributing factor. Differential diagnoses include Achilles tendinopathy, stress fracture, and nerve entrapment. Radiographic imaging of the foot is ordered to evaluate for the presence of a heel spur and rule out other pathologies. Initial treatment plan includes conservative management with rest, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), stretching exercises, and orthotic support. Patient education regarding activity modification and proper footwear will be provided. Follow-up appointment scheduled in two weeks to assess response to treatment and discuss further management options, including corticosteroid injections or physical therapy if symptoms persist. ICD-10 code M77.31 (Calcaneal spur) is considered, pending radiographic confirmation. CPT codes for evaluation and management, radiographic imaging, and potential procedures will be determined based on the services provided.