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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesG56.33

G56.33

Billable

Lesion of radial nerve, bilateral upper limbs

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 G56.33 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of lesion of radial nerve, bilateral upper limbs.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The lesion of the radial nerve in the bilateral upper limbs refers to damage or injury to the radial nerve, which is responsible for the motor and sensory functions of the posterior aspect of the arm and forearm. This condition can result from various causes, including trauma, compression, or systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms such as wrist drop, weakness in extending the elbow, wrist, and fingers, and sensory loss over the posterior arm and hand. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough clinical examination, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography to assess the extent of nerve damage and to differentiate it from other neuropathies. Treatment may include physical therapy, splinting, and in some cases, surgical intervention to relieve compression or repair the nerve. The bilateral nature of the condition may suggest a systemic cause or bilateral trauma, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation to identify underlying etiologies.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Bilateral coding requirements
  • Differentiation from other neuropathies
  • Need for detailed clinical documentation
  • Potential for multiple underlying causes

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of bilateral involvement
  • Failure to specify the cause of the lesion
  • Misinterpretation of nerve conduction study results
  • Inconsistent clinical findings

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Neurology

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive neurological examination findings, including motor and sensory assessments.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with wrist drop, pain in the arm, or sensory deficits.

Billing Considerations

Ensure detailed documentation of the patient's history and any systemic conditions that may contribute to the nerve lesion.

Orthopedics

Documentation Requirements

Surgical notes if intervention is performed, imaging studies if applicable.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Post-traumatic nerve injuries or compression syndromes.

Billing Considerations

Document any surgical interventions or conservative management strategies employed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use G56.33 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, G56
  • 33 should be used when there is a confirmed diagnosis of bilateral radial nerve lesions
  • Coders must ensure that documentation supports the bilateral nature and the specific clinical findings associated with the condition

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use G56.33 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

95900CPT Code

Nerve conduction studies

Clinical Scenario

Used to evaluate the function of the radial nerve in patients with suspected lesions.

Documentation Requirements

Document the specific nerves tested and the findings.

Specialty Considerations

Neurologists should ensure that the studies are comprehensive and correlate with clinical findings.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of nerve lesions, including the ability to specify bilateral involvement, which enhances the accuracy of patient records and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of nerve lesions, including the ability to specify bilateral involvement, which enhances the accuracy of patient records and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common causes of bilateral radial nerve lesions?

Common causes include trauma, systemic diseases like diabetes, and repetitive strain injuries. It is essential to evaluate the patient's history and conduct appropriate diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause.