Rhabdomyolysis

This code represents the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, releasing muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. This process can lead to serious complications such as acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiac arrhythmias. It is a systemic condition resulting from various non-traumatic causes.

Use this code for documented cases of rhabdomyolysis not attributed to a traumatic injury. Clinical documentation should clearly indicate elevated muscle enzymes (e.g., creatine kinase), myoglobinuria, and signs/symptoms consistent with muscle breakdown. This code is appropriate when the underlying cause is non-traumatic, such as drug-induced, exertional, infectious, or metabolic.

• Always query for the underlying cause of rhabdomyolysis if not clearly documented.
• Do not code this with T79.6 (traumatic rhabdomyolysis) due to the Excludes1 note.
• Sequence this code after the underlying cause, if known and applicable, to fully describe the patient's condition.