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Radiology Coding Alert

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:

Do You Use M79.89 or R22.- to Report Swelling in the Leg?

Published on Fri Aug 21, 2026

Question: I have a radiology report for three-view X-rays of a patient’s lower left leg, foot, and ankle. The images were negative for fractures, but the patient presented with severe pain in the leg and swelling in the calf and foot. I’m having trouble determining the correct diagnosis code to report the swelling in the left leg — the Alphabetic [...]
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