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M79.641
ICD-10-CM
Right Hand Pain

Find information on right hand pain diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10, SNOMED CT), differential diagnosis, and common causes like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and tendinitis. Explore symptoms, treatment options, and healthcare resources for right hand pain management. Learn about relevant medical terminology for accurate documentation and coding in healthcare settings.

Also known as

Pain in Right Hand
Right Hand Discomfort

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Discomfort or pain felt in the right hand, ranging from mild to severe.
  • Clinical Signs : Swelling, redness, numbness, tingling, limited range of motion, tenderness to touch.
  • Common Settings : Carpal tunnel, arthritis, injury, repetitive strain, ganglion cyst.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M79.641 Coding
M79.601

Pain in right hand

Pain localized to the right hand.

M79.602

Pain in right wrist

Pain localized to the right wrist.

M79.609

Pain in right upper limb

Pain in unspecified part of right upper limb.

M25.5

Pain in joint

Pain in specific joint of right hand (requires additional code).

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is there a documented injury/trauma?

  • Yes

    Fracture?

  • No

    Overuse/Repetitive Strain?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Right hand pain
Right hand carpal tunnel
Right hand De Quervain's

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Hand pain location: right
  • Pain onset, duration, character
  • Aggravating/relieving factors
  • Physical exam: ROM, tenderness
  • Associated symptoms (numbness, etc.)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Unspecified

    Coding right hand pain without specifying laterality (right) can lead to claim rejections and inaccurate data reporting. Use ICD-10 codes like M79.601 (right hand).

  • Symptom Coding

    Coding pain (M79.601) without underlying diagnosis if known. Seek root cause (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) for accurate clinical documentation and reimbursement.

  • Unspecified Pain Type

    Documenting right hand pain without specifying type (e.g., sharp, aching, throbbing) may hinder accurate coding and impact quality metrics. Use specific descriptors.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document precise hand pain location using ICD-10 codes for accurate billing.
  • Improve CDI with detailed laterality (right hand) for specificity in medical records.
  • Ensure compliance with payer guidelines by justifying medical necessity of tests.
  • Perform thorough physical exam, noting hand function and sensory deficits.
  • Review past medical history, including occupation, for cause of right hand pain.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Rule out Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ICD-10 G56.00
  • Assess for De Quervain's tenosynovitis M77.1
  • Check for Trigger finger ICD10 code M65.3
  • Document hand pain laterality SNOMED CT 261217005

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Right Hand Pain: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for carpal tunnel, fractures, and other diagnoses.
  • Proper ICD-10 coding (e.g., M79.1, S62) maximizes hand pain claim reimbursement.
  • Accurate hand pain diagnosis coding improves hospital quality reporting metrics.
  • Timely hand pain claims filing with correct laterality (right) reduces denials.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

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

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code dominant hand laterality
  • Specify pain location precisely
  • Rule out carpal tunnel, document tests
  • Consider repetitive strain injuries RSI
  • Check for fractures, document imaging

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with right hand pain.  Onset of pain is described as (acute, subacute, chronic) and began (duration) ago.  The pain is located in the (dorsal, palmar, radial, ulnar) aspect of the hand and involves (specific digits, wrist, forearm).  Patient characterizes the pain as (sharp, dull, aching, throbbing, burning, radiating) and rates its severity as (0-10 pain scale).  Aggravating factors include (activities, movements, positions) while alleviating factors include (rest, ice, heat, medications).  Patient denies (or reports) any numbness, tingling, weakness, or swelling.  Past medical history includes (relevant conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, prior injuries, diabetes).  Surgical history includes (any relevant hand or wrist surgeries).  Medications include (list current medications).  Allergies include (list allergies).  Social history includes (tobacco use, alcohol use, occupation, dominant hand).  Physical examination reveals (tenderness to palpation, range of motion limitations, deformity, edema, erythema, skin changes, neurological deficits, strength assessment).  Differential diagnosis includes (carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger, ganglion cyst, fracture, sprain, strain).  Assessment: Right hand pain likely secondary to (presumptive diagnosis).  Plan:  (Conservative treatment such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, splinting, over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy referral, occupational therapy referral).  Consider (advanced imaging such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound if indicated).  Follow-up in ( timeframe) to reassess symptoms and response to treatment.  Patient education provided regarding (activity modification, pain management techniques, potential complications).  ICD-10 code: (appropriate code based on diagnosis).