Weakness

This code represents a general, unspecified feeling of debility or lack of physical strength, often reported by the patient as a symptom. It indicates a subjective experience of weakness that is not attributed to a specific muscle group or age-related physiological decline.

Use this code when documentation indicates a patient complaint of generalized weakness without further specificity regarding its cause or location. This code is appropriate when a more definitive diagnosis for the weakness has not yet been established or when the weakness is a standalone symptom.

• Do not use this code if the documentation specifies muscle weakness (e.g., M62.81) or age-related weakness/senile asthenia (R54).
• Always seek to code to the highest level of specificity. If the underlying cause of the weakness is identified, code that condition instead.
• This code is often used as a secondary diagnosis when the primary diagnosis is a condition that commonly presents with generalized weakness.