Experiencing right arm weakness? Find information on diagnosis codes, including ICD-10 and SNOMED CT, related to right upper extremity weakness, brachial plexus disorders, cervical radiculopathy, and other potential causes. Learn about clinical documentation best practices for accurately recording right arm weakness symptoms, neurological assessments, and diagnostic testing. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on evaluating and managing right sided arm weakness, hemiparesis, and related neuromuscular conditions.
Also known as
Muscle weakness of right arm
Weakness affecting the muscles of the right arm.
Hemiplegia and hemiparesis
One-sided paralysis or weakness, which may include the right arm.
Radiculopathy, cervical region
Nerve root compression in the neck, potentially causing right arm weakness.
Monoplegia of upper limb
Paralysis isolated to one limb, which could be the right arm.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is weakness due to a cerebrovascular event?
Yes
Is it hemiplegia?
No
Is it due to trauma?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Right arm weakness |
| Right hemiparesis |
| Cervical radiculopathy |
Coding right arm weakness without specifying laterality (right) can lead to claim rejections and inaccurate data reporting. Use appropriate ICD-10 codes like M62.811.
Failing to code the underlying cause of right arm weakness (e.g., stroke, nerve compression) impacts reimbursement and quality metrics. Ensure complete clinical documentation.
Miscoding generalized weakness as right arm weakness can lead to inaccurate reporting. Differentiate localized vs. generalized weakness and use specific ICD-10 codes like R53.1 for generalized weakness.
Q: What are the key differential diagnoses to consider in a patient presenting with acute right arm weakness, and how can I effectively differentiate between them?
A: Acute right arm weakness can be caused by a variety of conditions, necessitating a systematic approach to differential diagnosis. Consider central nervous system causes such as stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), transient ischemic attack (TIA), cerebral venous thrombosis, brain tumor, or spinal cord compression. Peripheral nervous system disorders like brachial plexopathy, radial nerve palsy, or cervical radiculopathy should also be considered. Other potential diagnoses include neuromuscular junction disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome) and muscle disorders (e.g., polymyositis). Differentiating between these requires a thorough neurological examination, focusing on the pattern of weakness (proximal vs. distal, specific muscle groups involved), associated neurological deficits (sensory loss, speech changes, visual field defects), and time course of symptom onset. Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCS) can be invaluable in localizing the lesion to the peripheral nervous system. Neuroimaging (CT or MRI of the brain and/or spine) is crucial for evaluating central nervous system pathology. Explore how integrating clinical findings with appropriate diagnostic tests can lead to a more accurate and timely diagnosis. Consider implementing a standardized neurological examination protocol for consistent and reliable assessment of right arm weakness.
Q: When is urgent neuroimaging indicated for right arm weakness, and what are the best imaging modalities to employ based on suspected etiology?
A: Urgent neuroimaging is indicated in cases of sudden-onset right arm weakness, particularly when accompanied by other neurological symptoms suggesting stroke, TIA, or spinal cord compression. Red flags include altered mental status, speech difficulties, visual disturbances, loss of bowel or bladder control, and severe pain. In suspected stroke, emergent CT scan of the head without contrast is typically the initial imaging modality to rule out hemorrhage and assess for early ischemic changes. MRI of the brain with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is more sensitive for detecting acute ischemic stroke. For suspected spinal cord compression causing right arm weakness, MRI of the cervical spine is the preferred imaging modality. If a peripheral nerve lesion such as brachial plexopathy or cervical radiculopathy is suspected based on clinical findings, MRI of the brachial plexus or cervical spine may be indicated. Learn more about the appropriate use of neuroimaging in different clinical scenarios related to right arm weakness and explore how different imaging modalities can inform diagnosis and management.
Patient presents with complaints of right arm weakness. Onset of weakness was noted (insert timeframe - e.g., two days ago, gradually over the past week). The patient describes the weakness as (insert characterization of weakness - e.g., intermittent, constant, progressively worsening, associated with pain, numbness, tingling). Location of weakness is specified as (insert specific location - e.g., entire right arm, proximal right arm, distal right arm, hand grip). Associated symptoms include (list associated symptoms - e.g., right hand numbness, difficulty with fine motor skills, pain in the right shoulder, neck pain, radiating pain). Patient denies (list pertinent negatives - e.g., fever, chills, trauma, recent illness, headache, visual changes). Physical examination reveals (insert objective findings - e.g., decreased muscle strength in the right biceps and triceps, diminished right hand grip strength, reduced range of motion in the right shoulder, intact sensation in the right arm, hyporeflexia of the right biceps reflex). Differential diagnosis includes (list potential diagnoses - e.g., cervical radiculopathy, brachial plexus injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy). Preliminary diagnosis is right arm weakness. Plan includes (outline plan of care - e.g., order electromyography and nerve conduction studies, MRI of the cervical spine, referral to neurology, physical therapy referral, follow-up appointment in two weeks). ICD-10 code (insert appropriate ICD-10 code - e.g., M62.81, R53.1). Medical coding and billing documentation completed.