Carpal Tunnel ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide to learn about Carpal Tunnel ICD codes you can use. Explore clinical and billing information here.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What Carpal Tunnel ICD codes can I use?
Here are four Carpal Tunnel ICD codes you can use:
- G56.00 - Carpal tunnel syndrome, unspecified upper limb
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but it’s currently unspecified or unidentified if the affected arm is the right, left, or both. Please use any between Items 2, 3, or 4 to identify and confirm where it's located.
- G56.01 - Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
Use this if you’ve confirmed that the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is in the right arm.
- G56.02 - Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
Use this if you’ve confirmed that the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is in the left arm.
- G56.03 - Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
Use this if you’ve confirmed that the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is in both the patient’s arms.
Are these Carpal Tunnel ICD codes billable?
Yes. All four of the aforementioned Carpal Tunnel-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common problem that affects the hands and wrists.
- It is a neurological disorder characterized by the compression of the median nerve, which is located in the forearms and goes up to the palms of our hands.
- When the median nerve is compressed, it’ll result in the following:
- You will start feeling numbness or tingling sensations in the fingers
- If you have numbness/tingling sensations in the fingers, they can radiate to the forearm
- You will also start feeling pain/discomfort in the wrists/hands, especially when you move them repeatedly.
- Your wrists/hands will become weak, and you might not be able to move them at all due to the pain
- There might be swelling in the wrist area
Synonyms include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Anterior interosseous nerve entrapment
- Anterior interosseous nerve lesion
- Median nerve compression in forearm
- Median nerve entrapment
- Partial thenar atrophy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome of left wrist
- Carpal tunnel syndrome of right wrist
- Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome
Commonly asked questions
Constant repetitive hand and wrist motions cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Performing everyday tasks like typing on a keyboard, clicking your computer mouse, and performing certain types of work that require the constant and repetitive use of your hands and wrists can cause it. Even recreational activities like playing video games (because of constant button pressing) and playing certain musical instruments can cause it.
Healthcare professionals will result in specific physical examinations first: Tinel’s Sign Test and the Phalen Test. If these are positive, the patient possibly has Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. After that, they will conduct imaging tests to confirm it, specifically X-rays and Electromyography (EMG).
Healthcare professionals will resort to non-surgical treatment first. Non-surgical treatment includes Ibuprofen or similar non-steroidal anti-inflammation medicine, cortisone injections, and/or wearing wrist splints, especially at night. They will propose surgery if non-surgical treatment doesn’t work or if the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is severe. If the patient accepts, they will make an incision in the transverse carpal ligament to take the pressure off the median nerve.
