30: APPENDICITIS

ICD-9-CM CODES

• 540 Acute appendicitis

• 540.0 Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis

• 540.1 Acute appendicitis with peritoneal abscess

• 540.9 Acute appendicitis without mention of peritonitis

• 541 Appendicitis, unqualified

• 542 Other appendicitis

• 543.0 Hyperplasia of appendix (lymphoid)

• 543.9 Other and unspecified diseases of appendix

• Associated physical therapy diagnoses

  • 315.4 Developmental coordination disorder (clumsiness, dyspraxia and/or specific motor development disorder)

  • 718.45 Contracture of joint, pelvic region and thigh

  • 719.70 Difficulty in walking involving joint site unspecified

  • 728.2 Muscular wasting and disuse atrophy, not elsewhere classified

  • 728.89 Other disorders of muscle, ligament, and fascia

  • 729.9 Other and unspecified disorders of soft tissue

  • 780.70 Other malaise and fatigue

  • 781.2 Abnormality of gait

  • 782.3 Edema

  • 786.0 Dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities

ICD-10-CM CODES

• K35.2 Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis

• K35.3 Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis

• K35.80 Unspecified acute appendicitis

• K35.89 Other acute appendicitis

• K36 Other appendicitis

• K37 Unspecified appendicitis

• K38.0 Hyperplasia of appendix

• K38.1 Appendicular concretions

• K38.2 Diverticulum of appendix

• K38.3 Fistula of appendix

• K38.8 Other specified diseases of appendix

• K38.9 Disease of appendix, unspecified

PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN

• As of June, 2014, the APTA Guide to Physical Therapist Practice does not include practice patterns for organ system pathology; therefore, the associated or secondary musculoskeletal, cardiovascular/pulmonary, or potential neuromuscular patterns would be indicated.

KEY FEATURES

Description

• Inflammation of the appendix

• Pain in the lower abdominal region on the right side

• Appendix can rupture when blocked by an object, tumor, or feces

• Appendix is a tube of tissue off of the large intestine with an unknown function

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Right abdominal and side (flank) pain

• Positive cultures

• McBurney point, tip of right 12th rib tenderness

• Palpation over appendix

• Lab tests

General Considerations

• If untreated can possibly rupture

• Possible referred pain to back, pelvic region, or rectal ...