Congenital shortening of lower limb, bilateral

This code describes a birth defect characterized by abnormally short lower limbs affecting both sides of the body. This congenital anomaly results in disproportionate limb length compared to the rest of the body, impacting mobility and development.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a bilateral congenital shortening of the lower extremities. This diagnosis is typically made at birth or early childhood based on physical examination and imaging studies (e.g., X-rays) confirming the shortened bone length in both legs.

• Ensure documentation specifies "bilateral" involvement; 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, as these may require additional coding.