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
Right lower leg pain
Pain in the right lower leg, unspecified.
Myalgia
Muscle pain, which could include the lower leg.
Pain in right lower leg
Pain localized to the right lower leg joint.
Other specified musculoskeletal pain
Includes other musculoskeletal pain not classified elsewhere, potentially lower leg.
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?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Right lower leg pain |
Right tibial stress fracture |
Right lower leg compartment syndrome |
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.
Coding pain (R29.2) without a documented diagnosis, like muscle strain or nerve impingement, risks underpayment and inaccurate clinical data.
Missing documentation specifying right leg involvement can cause coding errors and potential compliance issues with laterality data requirements.
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.