Left upper quadrant abdominal rigidity

This code signifies involuntary stiffness or tenseness of the muscles in the left upper abdomen, indicating an underlying pathological process. It is a physical exam finding, not a definitive diagnosis, and suggests irritation or inflammation of abdominal organs in that region.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states "left upper quadrant rigidity" or "LUQ rigidity" as a physical exam finding. This typically occurs in scenarios such as acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or splenic injury, where peritoneal irritation is present.

• Always sequence this code after the definitive diagnosis causing the rigidity, if known.
• Do not use this code if the documentation only states "tenderness" or "guarding" without explicit "rigidity."
• Distinguish from generalized abdominal rigidity (R19.30) or rigidity in other quadrants.