R26.2 – Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified

R26.2 diagnosis code: Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified

This ICD-10-CM code is used when a patient presents walking difficulties that do not fall under a specific gait abnormality codes disorder.

R26.2 ICD code is often used by physical therapists, rehab therapists, and physicians during initial assessments when gait abnormalities or mobility issues are present but the underlying cause remains uncertain. It helps accurately describe the patient's walking difficulties and is essential for ensuring appropriate documentation and insurance claim processing.

It's under the umbrella category of “Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified.” More specifically, it's listed under “Abnormalities of gait and mobility.” Practitioners can use this code when a patient’s gait is impaired due to a medical diagnosis such as muscular dystrophy, or when the patient's condition affects their ability to walk normally.

Accurate use of this code supports better patient care by helping identify walking impairments and guiding appropriate treatment strategies. R26.2 is a symptom code and can be and is usually paired with the M25 ICD-10-CM code. Also, for cases involving global musculoskeletal dysfunction, other codes may be more appropriate depending on the clinical findings.

Is R26.2 billable? 

Yes. R26.2 is a billable code. It can be submitted for reimbursement when used to document a patient's difficulty walking that isn't better classified under a more specific diagnosis code.

‍Clinical information

• Difficulty in walking can stem from a wide range of issues involving the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, neurological conditions like hereditary ataxia, leading to chronic mobility unsteadiness and poor balance, and even systemic illnesses.

• Other conditions can cause difficulty walking, such as arthritis, ataxia, cerebral palsy, injuries like soft tissue injuries or diseases that affect the lower extremities, broken bones, strains, and more. 
• Patients experiencing difficulty walking due to musculoskeletal issues may present with involuntary muscle movements, limb deformities, or muscle weakness.
• Some symptoms may also be linked to conditions like muscle weakness, ataxic gait, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy, basal ganglia disorders, or joint dysfunction.
• What practitioners usually treat are the injuries obtained after difficulty walking. However, it's possible to prevent this diagnosis with the help of assistive walking devices, medications, physical therapy, and safety measures for oneself and at home.

Synonyms include

• Unsteady gait
• Impaired walking
• Gait abnormality
• Difficulty ambulating

• Difficulty walking
• Walking disability
• Abnormail gait
• Trouble walking
• Poor balance
• Uncoordinated walk
• Walking not elsewhere classified

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for difficulty walking

As mentioned above, it's best to check the other codes related to an abnormality in gait and walking before using R26.2. Here's a list of the accurate coding under that classification:

• R26.0: Ataxic gait
• R26.81: Unsteadiness on feet
• R26.89: Other abnormalities of gait and mobility
• R26.9 – Unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility