Paraplegia

This code signifies paralysis that affects the lower half of the body, including both legs, and sometimes the trunk. It results from damage to the spinal cord, typically below the cervical region, impacting motor and sensory function.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates paralysis of the lower extremities. This often follows spinal cord injury, tumors, or other neurological conditions affecting the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal cord segments. Supporting documentation should specify the affected body regions.

• Differentiate from quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) and hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body).
• Always code any underlying cause of the paraplegia, such as spinal cord injury, in addition to this code.
• Look for documentation specifying the completeness or incompleteness of the paralysis, though this code does not differentiate.