Brachial plexus disorders

This code signifies a condition affecting the brachial plexus, a network of nerves originating from the spinal cord in the neck and extending into the arm. These disorders can result from injury, compression, inflammation, or other pathologies, leading to motor weakness, sensory deficits, and pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Apply this code when documentation specifies a diagnosis of a brachial plexus disorder without further specification of its etiology or specific nerve involvement. This is appropriate for initial diagnoses or when the precise cause or specific nerve lesion within the plexus is not yet determined or documented.

• Do not use this code if a more specific diagnosis of the brachial plexus disorder (e.g., traumatic, neoplastic, or inflammatory) is documented.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis if it is the main reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis if it is a co-morbidity.
• Review documentation for laterality (left, right, bilateral) as more specific codes exist for these distinctions.