Myoclonus

This code represents myoclonus, which is characterized by sudden, brief, involuntary twitching or jerking of a muscle or a group of muscles. These movements are typically irregular and can occur spontaneously or be induced by a stimulus. Myoclonus is a symptom of an underlying neurological condition rather than a disease itself.

Use this code when documentation specifies myoclonus as a standalone symptom or a manifestation of a neurological disorder, excluding epileptic myoclonus. This code is appropriate when the physician explicitly diagnoses myoclonus without further specification of its cause, or when it is a prominent feature of a non-epileptic condition.

• Do not code this with G40.- (epilepsy and recurrent seizures) as myoclonic epilepsy is excluded.
• Ensure documentation clearly distinguishes myoclonus from other movement disorders like tics or tremors.
• Always look for an underlying cause if documented, and code it as the primary diagnosis if applicable, with myoclonus as a secondary code.