2025 ICD-10-CM code Z89.9
Acquired absence of limb, unspecified.
Medical necessity is established by the underlying condition that led to the limb absence. This could be trauma, disease, or another medical condition necessitating amputation.
In simple words: This code indicates that a person is missing a limb due to an event that happened after birth, such as an amputation or injury. The specific limb is not specified.
Acquired absence of limb, unspecified. Includes: amputation status, postprocedural loss of limb, post-traumatic loss of limb. Excludes1: acquired deformities of limbs (M20-M21), congenital absence of limbs (Q71-Q73).
Example 1: A patient had their left leg amputated above the knee following a traumatic car accident., A patient with severe peripheral artery disease underwent a below-knee amputation of their right leg., A patient had their right arm amputated at the shoulder due to complications from a chronic infection.
Documentation should clearly specify the missing limb, the cause of the absence (e.g., amputation, trauma), and the date of the event.If the absence is due to amputation, the operative report should be documented.
** This is a Z code, which is used to report factors influencing health status and contact with health services. These codes are not used for reimbursement purposes, however, they indicate issues or circumstances that may affect a patient’s care. They are not to be used as the first-listed diagnosis. It is important to correctly document the causality of the absence (amputation, accident or other causes) to assure appropriate additional coding. For amputation status, also code any current complications and the appropriate aftercare code. Code also any follow-up examination (Z08-Z09).
- Specialties:Any specialty can use this code as long as they encounter a patient with acquired absence of a limb. Specialties most likely to use this code include orthopedics, prosthetics/orthotics, general surgery, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.
- Place of Service:Any