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M79.661
ICD-10-CM
Right Lower Leg Pain

Find information on right lower leg pain diagnosis, including differential diagnoses, clinical findings, ICD-10 codes (M79.601, M79.671, M79.672), medical coding guidelines, and documentation best practices for healthcare professionals. Explore potential causes like muscle strains, shin splints, stress fractures, compartment syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis. Learn about symptoms, examinations, and appropriate medical terminology for accurate clinical documentation and coding.

Also known as

Pain in Right Lower Leg
Right Calf Pain

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Pain located in the right lower leg, from knee to ankle.
  • Clinical Signs : Tenderness, swelling, redness, warmth, limited range of motion, palpable mass or deformity.
  • Common Settings : Sports injuries, overuse, trauma, varicose veins, nerve damage, infection.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M79.661 Coding
M79.601

Right lower leg pain

Pain in the right lower leg, unspecified.

M79.1

Myalgia

Muscle pain, which could include the lower leg.

M25.571

Pain in right lower leg

Pain localized to the right lower leg joint.

M79.89

Other specified musculoskeletal pain

Includes other musculoskeletal pain not classified elsewhere, potentially lower leg.

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?

  • Yes

    Fracture confirmed?

  • No

    Radiculopathy/neuralgia?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Right lower leg pain
Right tibial stress fracture
Right lower leg compartment syndrome

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Right lower leg pain: Onset, duration, character
  • Location of right lower leg pain: Specific site
  • Aggravating/relieving factors: Detailed description
  • Associated symptoms: Numbness, tingling, weakness
  • Physical exam findings: Palpation, ROM, pulses

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Pain Location

    Coding right lower leg pain with unspecified codes (e.g., M79.60) when more specific documentation exists can lead to claim denials and lost revenue.

  • Symptom vs. Diagnosis

    Coding pain (R29.2) without a documented diagnosis, like muscle strain or nerve impingement, risks underpayment and inaccurate clinical data.

  • Laterality Documentation

    Missing documentation specifying right leg involvement can cause coding errors and potential compliance issues with laterality data requirements.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document precise location, radiation, character of pain for accurate ICD-10 coding.
  • Rule out DVT/PE via H&P, diagnostic tests for compliant billing & risk management.
  • Specify onset, duration, exacerbating/relieving factors for improved CDI and HCC coding.
  • Assess for musculoskeletal injuries, neurological causes for correct diagnosis & billing.
  • Correlate exam findings, imaging results, and patient history for compliant medical necessity.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • HPI: Onset, location, character, radiation, duration?
  • PE: Palpation, ROM, pulses, sensation, edema?
  • MSK or vascular etiology? DVT ruled out?
  • Imaging indicated? Xray, ultrasound, MRI?
  • ICD-10: M79.604, M79.671 considered?

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Right Lower Leg Pain Reimbursement: Optimize ICD-10 M79.671 coding for accurate claims processing. Maximize revenue capture with precise documentation.
  • Coding Accuracy Impact: Improve specificity with laterality (right) and anatomical site (lower leg) for proper payment and avoid denials.
  • Hospital Reporting Impact: Accurate M79.671 coding enhances data quality for epidemiological studies and resource allocation.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Precise diagnosis coding reflects patient demographics and care quality for performance benchmarking.

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
  • Specify laterality: right leg
  • Document pain type/onset
  • Rule out sciatica/lumbago
  • Consider vascular causes DVT
  • Check for trauma/injury hx

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with right lower leg pain.  Onset of pain was (duration) and is described as (character: sharp, dull, aching, throbbing, burning, etc.).  The pain is located in the (specific location: calf, shin, ankle, foot, etc.) and radiates to (location if applicable).  Aggravating factors include (activities, positions, etc.) and alleviating factors include (rest, ice, elevation, medication, etc.).  Patient denies any history of trauma, injury, or recent strenuous activity.  Review of systems is negative for fever, chills, numbness, tingling, swelling, redness, or skin changes in the affected area.  Medical history includes (relevant medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, etc.).  Surgical history includes (relevant surgical procedures).  Medications include (list current medications).  Allergies include (list allergies).  Physical examination reveals (tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness, palpable cords, pulses: dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial, range of motion, etc.).  Differential diagnoses include muscle strain, shin splints, stress fracture, compartment syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, sciatica, and referred pain.  Assessment: Right lower leg pain, likely due to (most likely diagnosis).  Plan includes (diagnostic tests if needed: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, D-dimer, etc.), (treatment plan: RICE therapy, pain medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen, referral to physical therapy, specialist referral if needed, etc.), and patient education regarding activity modification, proper stretching techniques, and follow-up care.  Patient advised to return if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment.
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