Radiculopathy vs sciatica
Date: Mar 11, 2025
Question:
When coding for a pain clinic, we are given a final diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy and low back pain with sciatica. When researching these two conditions, it is stated that sciatica is a specific type of radiculopathy and that radiculopathy is a general term. When both of these diagnoses are given, what would be your recommendation for coding? I am thinking to only code lumbago with sciatica since it is described as being a more specific type of radiculopathy.
Need to ask Dr.Z?
Don't see the answer you're looking for in the knowledge base? No problem. You can ask Dr. Z directly!Ask Dr. Z a question now!