Acquired absence of left upper limb below elbow

This code signifies the permanent loss of the left forearm and hand due to a cause other than a congenital defect. It indicates that the patient's left upper extremity is missing from a point below the elbow joint.

Apply this code when documenting a patient's acquired amputation of the left arm, specifically when the remaining limb segment extends to or above the elbow. This is appropriate for conditions resulting from trauma, disease, or surgical removal.

• Ensure laterality (left) and the specific level of amputation (below elbow) are clearly documented.
• Do not use for congenital absences; refer to Q codes for those conditions.
• Always code the underlying cause of the amputation if known and still relevant to the current encounter.