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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAnterior Tibial Tendonitis

Anterior Tibial Tendonitis

ICD-10 Coding for Anterior Tibial Tendonitis(M76.891, M76.892)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPodiatry
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Anterior Tibial Tendonitis?
Essential facts and insights about Anterior Tibial Tendonitis

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Pain and tenderness along the anterior aspect of the ankle and foot, particularly over the tibialis anterior tendon.
  • Possible swelling or inflammation in the area of the tendon.
  • Pain exacerbated by activities such as walking, running, or climbing stairs.
  • Physical examination may reveal weakness in dorsiflexion of the foot.
  • MRI or ultrasound may show tendon thickening or edema.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Document the patient's history of symptoms, including onset, duration, and exacerbating factors.
  • Use specific terminology such as 'anterior tibial tendonitis' or 'tendinopathy' in the medical record.
  • Examples include: 'Patient presents with pain in the anterior ankle consistent with anterior tibial tendonitis.'
  • Document medical necessity for treatments such as physical therapy or imaging studies.
  • Include quality measures such as functional assessments or pain scales.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use M76.891 for unilateral anterior tibial tendonitis and M76.892 for bilateral cases.
  • Do not use these codes for conditions such as anterior compartment syndrome or other tendon injuries.
  • Compare with M76.89 (other specified enthesopathies) for related conditions.
  • Common errors include using the wrong laterality or failing to specify bilateral involvement.
  • In complex cases, ensure to document all relevant clinical findings to support code selection.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions such as anterior compartment syndrome (M79.6) and other tendon injuries.
  • Use M76.891 or M76.892 for anterior tibial tendonitis, not for other tendon pathologies.
  • Conditions are excluded due to differing pathophysiology and treatment approaches.
  • Avoid confusion with similar codes by ensuring accurate clinical documentation.
  • Related conditions may include posterior tibial tendonitis, which has different coding.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
M76.891
Anterior tibial tendonitis, right leg
M76.892
Anterior tibial tendonitis, left leg
Ancillary Codes
M79.671
M79.672
Differential Codes
M76.821
M76.822

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Podiatry

Specialty Applications

  • Patients with overuse injuries, particularly athletes or individuals with high physical activity.
  • Commonly seen in adults aged 20-50, particularly runners and dancers.
  • Applicable in outpatient settings for physical therapy or podiatric evaluations.
  • Relevant in podiatry, orthopedics, and sports medicine specialties.
  • Treatment contexts include conservative management and surgical interventions.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with anterior tibial tendonitis based on clinical findings of pain and tenderness in the anterior ankle.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with anterior tibial tendonitis including pain during dorsiflexion.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by MRI showing tendon thickening.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for anterior tibial tendonitis with physical therapy and NSAIDs.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for anterior tibial tendonitis including monitoring of pain levels and functional ability.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Document patient history, physical exam findings, and any imaging results.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Anterior tibial tendonitis specifically affects the tibialis anterior tendon, while other conditions may involve different tendons.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is clearly linked to the services provided to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

CPT codes for physical therapy, ultrasound, or surgical interventions may be relevant.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include functional assessments and patient-reported outcomes.