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M77.30
ICD-10-CM
Heel Spur

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
Osteophyte of Heel

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Bony growth on the heel bone, often associated with plantar fasciitis.
  • Clinical Signs : Heel pain, worse in the morning or after rest, tenderness under the heel.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, podiatry, orthopedics, sports medicine clinics.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M77.30 Coding
M77.3

Calcaneal spur

Heel spur, a bony growth on the heel bone.

M77.2

Enthesopathy of calcaneus

Inflammation where tendons/ligaments attach to the heel, often related to heel spurs.

M76.77

Plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia, often associated with heel pain and spurs.

M79.671

Pain in heel

Generalized heel pain, which may be caused by a heel spur.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the heel spur symptomatic?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Heel pain from calcium deposit
Plantar fasciitis
Achilles tendinitis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Heel pain location and character
  • Palpation findings, plantar fascia tenderness
  • Gait assessment, weight-bearing limitations
  • Imaging results if obtained (X-ray, MRI)
  • Diagnosis confirmation: Heel spur (ICD-10 M77.3)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding lacks right or left foot specificity, leading to claim denials and inaccurate reporting. Use M77.311 or M77.312.

  • Symptom Coding

    Pain (e.g., plantar fasciitis) coded instead of heel spur itself (M77.31), if spur confirmed. Impacts data quality.

  • Unconfirmed Diagnosis

    Heel spur documented but not confirmed radiologically. Coding should reflect diagnostic certainty for proper reimbursement.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Proper ICD-10 coding (M77.3) for heel spur diagnosis.
  • Document pain location, duration, and type for accurate CDI.
  • Weight management reduces stress on heels, improving outcomes.
  • Stretching and physical therapy improve flexibility and reduce pain.
  • Orthotics or supportive footwear provide cushioning and heel support.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Localized heel pain worse in the morning or after rest ICD10 M77.3
  • 2. Pain with palpation of plantar fascia insertion point SNOMED CT 418557002
  • 3. Limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion improves with activity
  • 4. Consider imaging (Xray) to confirm if clinically indicated CPT 73630

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Heel Spur Reimbursement: ICD-10 M77.3, CPT 20550 (injection), accurate coding maximizes payment.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Pain management scores, functional improvement reporting affects hospital ratings.
  • Coding Accuracy Impact: Avoid denials with proper laterality and documentation of spur location (e.g., plantar).
  • Hospital Reporting Impact: Heel spur data influences resource allocation, treatment pathway development.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code M77.3 for heel spur
  • ICD-10 M77.3, confirm laterality
  • Document spur location, size
  • Correlate pain, symptoms with M77.3
  • X-ray confirmation aids coding

Documentation Templates

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.
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