ICD-10-CM Code for Right Foot Pain
For isolated right foot pain without additional clinical context, use ICD-10-CM code M79.671 (Pain in right foot).
Code Structure and Specificity
The ICD-10-CM system provides laterality-specific codes that distinguish right, left, and bilateral presentations, which represents a major improvement over ICD-9-CM 1. For limb pain, the code structure includes:
- M79.6: Pain in limb (general category)
- M79.671: Pain in right foot (specific laterality) 1
- M79.672: Pain in left foot
- M79.673: Pain in bilateral feet
This granular coding allows for precise anatomic localization and is directly built into the ICD-10-CM framework 1.
Clinical Context Determines Code Selection
While M79.671 is the appropriate code for unspecified right foot pain, the underlying etiology should guide your final code selection when known 2. The ICD-10-CM system prioritizes coding the underlying cause rather than just the symptom 2.
Alternative Codes Based on Etiology
If clinical evaluation reveals a specific cause, consider these more specific codes:
- Musculoskeletal causes: MG30.31 (chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain associated with structural changes) if chronic structural pathology is identified 2
- Neuropathic pain: MG30.51 (chronic peripheral neuropathic pain) if neuropathy is documented 2
- Diabetic foot complications: Use specific diabetic foot codes if diabetes with complications is present 3
- Vascular causes: Use peripheral artery disease codes if ischemia is documented 3
Common Coding Pitfalls
Avoid using R52.2 ("other chronic pain") as this represents approximately one-third of pain encounters in ICD-10 but provides no diagnostic value 2. This non-specific code was frequently overused in ICD-9-CM and should be replaced with anatomically and etiologically specific codes in ICD-10-CM 2.
Do not code based solely on pain location when an underlying diagnosis is established 2. The ICD-10-CM system is designed to capture causative pathology, which provides better guidance for differential patient management and resource allocation 2.
Documentation Requirements
For proper code assignment, document:
- Laterality: Right, left, or bilateral 1, 4
- Chronicity: Acute versus chronic presentation 2
- Associated findings: Erythema, edema, deformity, or wounds 3
- Underlying etiology: When identifiable through clinical evaluation 2
The increased specificity in ICD-10-CM improves disease pattern analysis and aligns U.S. coding with international standards 1.