Lesion of sciatic nerve

This code represents a non-traumatic injury or disorder affecting the sciatic nerve. It encompasses conditions where the sciatic nerve itself is the primary site of pathology, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This typically manifests as radiating symptoms down the posterior aspect of the thigh and leg.

Use this code when documentation specifies a lesion, neuropathy, or disorder directly impacting the sciatic nerve, without an identified external cause like trauma or disc herniation. This applies to conditions such as idiopathic sciatic neuropathy, entrapment neuropathy of the sciatic nerve not otherwise specified, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Supporting documentation should clearly indicate the sciatic nerve as the affected structure.

• Differentiate from sciatica (724.3), which refers to symptoms of sciatic nerve involvement, often due to disc pathology, rather than a primary lesion of the nerve itself.
• Ensure documentation specifies "lesion of sciatic nerve" or a similar direct involvement, not just symptoms.
• If an underlying cause (e.g., disc herniation, trauma, tumor) is identified, code the underlying condition first, and consider if an additional code for the sciatic nerve involvement is warranted.