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M79.622
ICD-10-CM
Left Upper Arm Pain

Find information on left upper arm pain diagnosis, including differential diagnoses, clinical documentation tips, and relevant medical codes (ICD-10, CPT). Explore causes of left upper arm pain such as rotator cuff tear, bicep tendonitis, brachial plexus injury, or cervical radiculopathy. Learn about symptoms, examinations, and treatment options for left upper arm pain to improve your healthcare documentation and medical coding accuracy.

Also known as

Pain in Left Upper Arm
Left Arm Pain (Upper)

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Discomfort or pain experienced in the area between the shoulder and elbow.
  • Clinical Signs : Tenderness, swelling, limited range of motion, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling.
  • Common Settings : Rotator cuff injury, bicep tendonitis, nerve compression, arthritis, heart attack (rare).

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M79.622 Coding
M79.602

Pain in left upper arm

Pain localized to the left upper arm.

M79.1

Myalgia

Muscle pain, which could include the left upper arm.

M25.522

Pain in left shoulder joint

Shoulder pain, which may radiate to the left upper arm.

S49

Injury of upper arm

Injury to the upper arm that may cause pain.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the pain due to trauma/injury?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Left upper arm pain
Left biceps tendinitis
Left brachial plexus neuropathy

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Left upper arm pain: Onset, duration, character
  • Location and radiation of arm pain
  • Aggravating and relieving factors
  • Associated symptoms (e.g., numbness, tingling)
  • Physical exam: Palpation, ROM, neurovascular

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Thorough HPI: Document pain onset, location, quality, radiation, associated symptoms. ICD-10 M79.602
  • Rule out cardiac causes: EKG, cardiac enzymes if indicated. CDI query for chest pain. HCC 225
  • Neuro exam: Assess for cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy. ICD-10 G54.0, G58.9
  • MSK exam: Evaluate shoulder, elbow, wrist ROM, strength. Document findings. CPT 99204, 99214
  • Image if red flags: X-ray, MRI for fracture, soft tissue injury. Compliance with imaging guidelines

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Rule out cardiac causes: ECG, troponin (ICD-10 I20-I25)
  • Assess for cervical radiculopathy: Spurling's test, imaging (ICD-10 M50-M54)
  • Evaluate for peripheral neuropathy: Sensory exam, EMG (ICD-10 G54-G64)
  • Check for musculoskeletal injury: ROM, palpation (ICD-10 S40-S49)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Left Upper Arm Pain: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for services related to diagnosis, procedures, and modifiers. Optimize for ICD-10 M79.601, M79.602, or other relevant codes.
  • Proper coding of left upper arm pain (M79.6*) affects quality metrics related to pain management, patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes. Accurate documentation crucial.
  • Hospital reporting accuracy for left upper arm pain influenced by coding specificity. Impacts public health data, resource allocation, and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Physician documentation detail for left upper arm pain directly affects code assignment (M79.6*). Impacts claim denial rates, revenue cycle, and hospital Value-Based Purchasing.

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 laterality: left arm
  • Document pain specifics
  • Rule out referred pain
  • Consider nerve involvement
  • Check ICD-10 guidelines

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with left upper arm pain.  Onset of pain was [duration] ago and is described as [quality of pain; e.g., sharp, dull, aching, burning] and [frequency; e.g., constant, intermittent].  Pain severity is rated [scale; e.g., 0-10] with exacerbating factors including [list exacerbating factors; e.g., lifting, reaching overhead] and alleviating factors including [list alleviating factors; e.g., rest, ice].  Location of pain is specified as [specific location; e.g., anterior, posterior, medial, lateral aspect of upper arm] and radiates [radiation pattern; e.g., to the elbow, shoulder, neck, fingers; or, no radiation].  Associated symptoms include [list associated symptoms; e.g., numbness, tingling, weakness, swelling, redness, warmth].  Patient denies [list pertinent negatives; e.g., fever, chills, trauma, recent infection].  Medical history includes [list relevant medical history; e.g., hypertension, diabetes, prior shoulder injury].  Surgical history includes [list relevant surgical history].  Medications include [list current medications].  Allergies include [list allergies].  Physical examination reveals [objective findings; e.g., tenderness to palpation over the [specific muscle or area], limited range of motion in the shoulder, normal pulses, intact sensation].  Differential diagnosis includes [list potential diagnoses; e.g., rotator cuff tear, biceps tendinitis, brachial plexus neuropathy, cervical radiculopathy].  Assessment:  Left upper arm pain, likely due to [most likely diagnosis].  Plan:  [Outline plan; e.g., Recommend conservative management including rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen.  Prescribed [medication, if any].  Referred to physical therapy.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in [timeframe].  Return sooner if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop].