ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR10.822

R10.822

Left upper quadrant rebound abdominal tenderness

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R10.822 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of left upper quadrant rebound abdominal tenderness.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Left upper quadrant rebound abdominal tenderness is a clinical sign indicative of peritoneal irritation, often associated with underlying abdominal pathology. This symptom is characterized by pain that is elicited when pressure is applied to the abdomen and then suddenly released, leading to a sharp increase in pain. It is commonly evaluated during a physical examination and can suggest serious conditions such as splenic rupture, pancreatitis, or gastrointestinal perforation. The presence of rebound tenderness in the left upper quadrant may also indicate issues with adjacent organs, including the stomach, left kidney, or colon. Clinicians often assess this sign in conjunction with other symptoms such as guarding, rigidity, and localized pain to determine the need for further diagnostic imaging or surgical intervention. Accurate identification and documentation of rebound tenderness are crucial for guiding treatment decisions and ensuring appropriate coding for reimbursement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Requires thorough understanding of abdominal anatomy and associated conditions.
  • Differentiating between various causes of abdominal pain can be challenging.
  • Documentation must clearly indicate the presence of rebound tenderness.
  • Potential overlap with other abdominal pain codes may complicate coding.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the physical exam findings.
  • Failure to link the symptom to a definitive diagnosis.
  • Misinterpretation of rebound tenderness as a standalone diagnosis.
  • Inconsistent coding practices across different providers.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed documentation of the physical examination findings, including the presence of rebound tenderness and associated symptoms.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with abdominal pain, suspected pancreatitis, or splenic issues.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of comorbidities that may affect abdominal pain presentation.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation must include time-sensitive assessments and interventions related to abdominal pain.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute abdominal pain requiring immediate evaluation for possible surgical intervention.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation are critical due to the potential for life-threatening conditions.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R10.822 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the symptom is documented in the context of a comprehensive clinical evaluation
  • The code should be used when rebound tenderness is specifically noted during the examination

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R10.822 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents with rebound tenderness and requires moderate complexity evaluation.

Documentation Requirements

Document the history, examination findings, and medical decision-making.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure timely documentation due to the acute nature of presentations.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like rebound tenderness, improving the granularity of data for clinical analysis and reimbursement.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like rebound tenderness, improving the granularity of data for clinical analysis and reimbursement.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

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 is the significance of rebound tenderness?

Rebound tenderness is a clinical sign that indicates potential peritoneal irritation, often requiring further evaluation to rule out serious conditions such as perforation or hemorrhage.