(2022) How To Code Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ICD 10 – List With Codes & Guidelines
This article will outline the causes, symptoms, treatment and the ICD 10 CM code for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ICD 10 Causes
There are a few causes of ulnar nerve problems. This includes:
- pressure on the ulna nerves
- too little padding around the nerves
- Keeping the elbow bent for a long time can stretch the nerves
- Direct pressure, when the arm is tilted forward when at rest, can press on the ulna nerve and make the arm or hand ring (the little fingers) when you fall asleep
In anatomy, the ulnar nerve cannot stay in place by snapping like a bony bump when the elbow moves. Repeated snapping can irritate the nerve. The soft tissue around the nerve becomes thicker because the extra muscle around it keeps it running.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ICD 10 Symptoms
Everyone can have some of these symptoms. The following are some of the most common symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ICD 10:
- numbness or tingling in the hands
- ringing in the little fingers
- flexed elbows
- hand pain
- weak grip
- clumsiness
- muscle weakness in the affected arm
- pain inside the elbow
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ICD 10 Treatment
Mild cases of cubital tunnel syndrome may respond well to physical therapies, such as avoiding unnecessary pressure on the elbow during daily activities, wearing a protective elbow pad (my bad bone) during daily activity, or wearing a splint during sleep to prevent elbow bending. In cases where a splint does not help or the nerve compression is severe, about 85% of patients respond to some form of surgery to relieve pressure from the ulnar nerve. This may include surgery that results in simple decompression of the nerve, which moves the nerve to the front of the wrist, moves it away from the layer of fat between muscle and muscle, or cuts back the bump on the inner part of the arm (the medial epicodyll) through which the nerve passes. The cubital tunnel syndrome can also be treated by electromyography, in which minimal pressure is detected in the nerve.
This may include surgery that involves simple decompression of the nerve, moving the nerve forward into the arm, moving it away from the layer of fat between muscle and muscle, or cutting back the bump on the inner part of the elbow epicodyl through which the nerve passes. The cubital tunnel syndrome can also be treated by electromyography, in which minimal pressure is detected in the nerve.
After an operation due to the cubital tunnel syndrome, recovery is usually associated with restrictions on lifting and elbow movements and rehabilitation therapy. If numbness and tingling do not improve, restoring the strength of the hand and wrist can take several months.
Conservative treatment for radial tunnel syndrome includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling of soft tissue, corticosteroid injections to relieve inflammation and pressure in the syndrome and wrist and elbow splints to reduce irritation from the syndrome.
Patients can also benefit from ergonomic training to reduce the effects of repeated stress on the nerves, flying exercises, stretching and strengthening exercises and other interventions such as heat, cold and ultrasound. If conservative measures do not bring relief within three months, doctors may consider surgery to reduce the pressure with radial tunnel syndromes. Surgery may be recommended in severe cases when the wrist becomes weak and limp, or when it becomes difficult to stretch the fingers.
ICD 10 Code For Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
ICD 10 CM G56.20 Lesion of ulnar nerve unspecified upper limb
ICD 10 CM G56.21 Lesion of ulnar nerve right upper limb
ICD 10 CM G56.22 Lesion of ulnar nerve left upper limb
