Renal colic

This code represents acute, severe, spasmodic pain in the flank or lower back, typically radiating to the groin, caused by the obstruction of urine flow within the kidney or ureter. It is a symptom, most commonly associated with nephrolithiasis (kidney stones).

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "renal colic" as the patient's presenting symptom or diagnosis. This is appropriate for patients experiencing the characteristic pain associated with urinary tract obstruction, even if the underlying cause (e.g., calculus) has not yet been definitively identified or is coded separately.

• This code describes a symptom; always look for and code the underlying cause (e.g., nephrolithiasis) if known.
• Do not use this code for general back pain or abdominal pain without specific documentation of renal colic.
• Consider sequencing this code after the definitive diagnosis if the underlying condition is known and treated during the same encounter.