Congenital shortening of upper limb, bilateral

This code signifies a birth defect characterized by abnormally reduced length of both upper extremities. This shortening is present from birth and affects both arms, forearms, or hands. It is a congenital anomaly impacting the development of the upper limbs.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a congenital shortening affecting both the right and left upper limbs. This diagnosis is typically made at birth or early childhood based on physical examination and imaging studies. Supporting documentation should specify the bilateral nature of the limb anomaly.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "bilateral" involvement of the upper limbs; otherwise, a unilateral code may be more appropriate.
• Distinguish from acquired shortening due to trauma or disease, which would be coded differently.
• Look for associated congenital anomalies that may require additional coding.