Lower Extremities Weakness ICD-10-CM Codes

Lower Extremities Weakness ICD-10-CM Codes | 2025

Learn the ICD-10-CM codes for lower extremities weakness to support accurate diagnosis and documentation of leg strength issues.

By Audrey Liz Perez on May 05, 2025.

Fact Checked by Gale Alagos.

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What ICD-10 codes are used for lower extremities weakness?Which lower extremities weakness ICD codes are billable?Clinical information Synonyms include FAQS

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What ICD-10 codes are used for lower extremities weakness?

Lower extremities weakness refers to a reduction in muscle strength in the legs, impacting mobility and daily activities. This condition can result from various underlying causes, including neurological disorders, muscle diseases, and vascular conditions. Accurate ICD-10-CM coding is essential for proper diagnosis, treatment planning, and reimbursement.

Conditions associated with lower extremities weakness may also present with related symptoms such as bilateral leg weakness, right leg weakness, or weak legs due to impaired nerve cells, sciatic nerve compression, or spinal cord injury. In some cases, patients may exhibit arm weakness, including right arm weakness or left arm weakness, or even facial symptoms like reduced movement in the left facial muscles. Diagnoses involving bilateral hand weakness or stroke weakness are also relevant, especially when assessing neurological function following a cerebrovascular event.

Commonly used ICD-10-CM codes for lower extremities weakness

The following ICD-10-CM codes are frequently used to document lower extremities weakness and its related clinical presentations for accurate diagnosis and billing:

G72.3 - Periodic paralysis

This code indicates episodes of temporary paralysis or weakness that occur periodically in the lower extremities, often due to genetic or metabolic disorders.

G72.4 - Drug-induced myopathy

This code is used when weakness in the lower extremities is caused by certain medications that induce muscle damage or weakness.

G72.5 - Mitochondrial myopathy

This code indicates weakness in the lower extremities due to genetic disorders affecting the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells.

G81.9 - Hemiplegia, unspecified

This code is used when complete paralysis or weakness affects one side of the body, including the lower extremities, but the cause is not specified.

G82.2 - Paraplegia, unspecified

This code is used when paralysis or weakness affects both lower limbs but not the arms, with no specific cause specified.

G83.1 - Spastic hemiplegia and hemiparesis

This code is used when weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body, including the lower extremities, results from damage or dysfunction in the brain's motor pathways.

G83.4 - Spastic quadriplegia and quadriparesis

This code indicates weakness or partial paralysis affecting all four limbs, including the lower extremities, due to brain damage or dysfunction.

M62.81 - Muscle weakness (generalized)

This code encompasses weakness affecting multiple muscle groups, including the lower extremities, without a specific cause identified.

M62.82 - Muscle weakness (localized)

This code is used when weakness is limited to specific muscle groups, such as those in the lower extremities, without a specific cause identified.

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Which lower extremities weakness ICD codes are billable?

The following codes are considered billable for lower extremities weakness:

M62.81 – Muscle weakness (generalized)
M62.82 – Muscle weakness (localized)
G72.3 – Periodic paralysis
G83.1 – Spastic hemiplegia and hemiparesis
G83.4 – Spastic quadriplegia and quadriparesis
G72.4 – Drug-induced myopathy
G81.9 – Hemiplegia, unspecified
G72.5 – Mitochondrial myopathy
G82.2 – Paraplegia, unspecified

Proper documentation of the patient's condition, including onset, duration, and associated symptoms, is crucial for accurate coding and billing.

Clinical information

Symptoms: Patients may present with right leg weakness or left leg weakness, difficulty walking, slurred speech, facial drooping, or loss of bowel control.
Neurological causes: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, stroke, and transient ischemic attack can lead to weakness in the lower extremities.
Muscular causes: Diseases like muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia result in muscle tissue degeneration, which affects leg muscles and leads to weak legs.
Vascular causes: Peripheral artery disease and spinal stenosis can impair blood flow to the lower limb, causing muscle weakness.
Diagnostic tools: To identify the underlying cause, evaluation may include physical examination, nerve conduction studies, blood tests, and imaging.
Treatment options: Management strategies encompass physical therapy, prescription medications, and addressing the underlying condition to restore muscle strength and function.

Synonyms include

Leg weakness
Lower limb weakness
Weakness in the lower extremities
Leg muscle weakness
Decreased leg strength
Impaired lower limb function
Loss of leg power

Frequently asked questions

What are the common causes of weakness in the lower extremities?

Lower extremities weakness can be caused by various factors, including neurological disorders (such as stroke or peripheral neuropathy), musculoskeletal problems (like fractures or muscle strains), and systemic conditions (such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases).

How is lower extremities weakness diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history review, physical examination, and possibly additional tests such as imaging studies, nerve conduction tests, or blood tests to identify the underlying cause of the weakness.

How is weakness in the lower extremities treated?

Treatment for lower extremities weakness depends on the underlying cause. It may involve physical therapy, medication management, assistive devices, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications to improve muscle strength, mobility, and overall function.