Muscle wasting and atrophy, NEC, left thigh

This code signifies a reduction in the size and mass of the muscles in the patient's left thigh, not due to a specific neurological disease or disuse. This condition can lead to weakness and impaired function of the affected limb. It represents a primary muscle disorder or a manifestation of an underlying systemic condition.

Use this code when documentation specifies muscle wasting or atrophy localized to the left thigh, without an underlying neurological cause (e.g., poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy) or direct disuse atrophy. Supporting documentation should clearly indicate the affected limb and rule out other specific causes of muscle atrophy.

• Ensure documentation specifies "left thigh" to support laterality.
• Distinguish from disuse atrophy (M62.50-M62.59, fourth character 0 for unspecified site) and atrophy due to neurological conditions (e.g., G71.0-G71.9).
• Always code any underlying systemic disease or condition causing the muscle wasting as a primary diagnosis, if known, with this code as a secondary diagnosis.