2025 ICD-10-CM code M79.18
Myalgia of other site. This code is used for muscle pain in areas other than the mastication or head/neck muscles.
Medical necessity for this code must be supported by documentation of the symptoms, physical exam findings, and the impact of the myalgia on the patient's function. Any underlying conditions or contributing factors should also be noted.
Providers diagnose myalgia based on patient history, physical examination, and palpation of muscles to identify trigger points or tender areas. Treatment can include physical therapy, massage, analgesics, muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, and trigger point injections of corticosteroids.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
- M79 Other and unspecified soft tissue disorders, not elsewhere classifiedM79.1 MyalgiaM79.18 Myalgia, other site
In simple words: This code represents muscle pain in areas other than your jaw or head/neck muscles. Muscle pain can happen when muscles are overworked, strained from repetitive movements, or stressed.
Myalgia refers to muscle pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome.It can occur in one or more muscles, generally due to muscle injury from excessive strain, repetitive motions, or stress.This code (M79.18) is specifically used when the myalgia is in a location other than the mastication muscles or the auxiliary muscles of the head and neck.
Example 1: A patient presents with muscle pain in their lower back, unrelated to any injury. After examination, the provider determines the pain is due to muscle strain and documents it as myalgia of the lower back, using code M79.18., A construction worker experiences persistent pain in their right shoulder after repetitive lifting at work. The physician diagnoses this as myalgia of the right shoulder, using code M79.18., A patient experiences muscle pain in their thigh after intense exercise. The doctor determines this to be myalgia of the thigh, unrelated to any other condition, and uses code M79.18.
Documentation should include the location of the muscle pain, the nature of the pain (e.g., aching, throbbing, burning), any associated symptoms (e.g., stiffness, weakness, limited range of motion), and the results of the physical exam, including identification of trigger points or tender areas if applicable.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Physiatry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Primary Care, Pain Management
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Physical Therapy Clinic