ICD-10 Guide

Heel Spur

ICD-10 Coding for Heel Spur(M77.31, M77.32, M77.30)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPodiatry

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Heel Spur?

Essential facts and insights about Heel Spur

Key Clinical Considerations:

Pain in the heel, especially with first steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting
X-ray showing calcaneal spur formation
Tenderness on palpation of the plantar fascia and heel

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history including duration and severity of symptoms
Physical examination findings related to heel pain
Imaging results confirming heel spur presence

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Usage guidelines: Use specific codes for laterality to avoid claim denials.
Common errors: Failing to document the specific location of pain or not including imaging results.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Excluded conditions: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis.
Alternative codes: M77.20 (Other enthesopathy of the heel) may be considered if applicable.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Podiatry

Specialty Applications

Patient populations: Adults, athletes, individuals with obesity or prolonged standing.
Clinical settings: Podiatry clinics, orthopedic practices, physical therapy centers.

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

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

Documentation requirements?

Include patient history, physical exam findings, and imaging results.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding based on laterality and confirmatory tests.

Heel Spur

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Heel Spur

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?