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Q72.12 ICD-10-CM Code: Congenital absence of left thigh and lower leg with foot present

Compare with another code for Q72.12Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

The tabular list publishes no instructional note for this code itself.

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 17: Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-QA1) (Q00-QA1)Q65-Q79 Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal systemQ72 Reduction defects of lower limbQ72.1 Congenital absence of thigh and lower leg with foot present

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 564 — OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 08)
  • MS-DRG 565 — OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 08)
  • MS-DRG 566 — OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 08)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coder workflow for Q72.12

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code Q72.12

  1. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: left). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

    ReviewQ72.11 · right, Q72.10 · unspecified

    Guide: Laterality coding →

  2. Q72.12’s title joins a condition with an associated condition or complication. Confirm each component is documented. Where the classification presumes the link through the “with” convention, only a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it. A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; a required second code for the stage, type or manifestation is still reported when the notes ask for it (Guidelines I.B.9, I.A.15).

    Guide: Combination codes →

Choose the right path

  1. Is the side documented?
    Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
    No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

    ReviewQ72.11 · right, Q72.10 · unspecified

Consider Q72.12. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
Laterality
Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).
The associated condition or complication
Whether the associated condition the title names is documented; the “with” convention presumes some links, and a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it (Guidelines I.A.15).

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: The record documents the condition on one side only.

Coding question: Which code in this family applies?

Path: Select the sibling code for the documented side.

Reason: Laterality is assigned from the documented side; the unspecified-side code is for records that state no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

ReviewQ72.11 · right, Q72.10 · unspecified

Documentation: Only one of the components this code’s title joins is documented.

Coding question: Is Q72.12 supported?

Path: Review the code for the documented component on its own.

Reason: A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; otherwise the documented component takes its own code (Guidelines I.B.9).

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse Q72.12 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of Q72.12 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • Q72.10— Specificity relationship (Review)

    Overlapping diagnoses in the same category.

    Overlapping codes in the same category — the documentation decides which is the more specific fit.

    What moves you there: A record that documents no more than “Congenital absence of unspecified thigh and lower leg with foot present” takes Q72.10; specificity in the record moves it back here.

    Full comparison: Q72.12 vs Q72.10 →

  • Q72.11— Laterality relationship (Review)

    Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

    The same condition with a different side named (the opposite side, both sides, or none); the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A documented right side moves the case to Q72.11.

    Full comparison: Q72.12 vs Q72.11 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Congenital absence of left thigh and lower leg with foot present is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Q72.12).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name Q72.12 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 6 Excludes1 notes across 3 chapters: M21 — Other acquired deformities of limbs (via Q72.-), M24.3 — Pathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classified (via Q72.-), Q66 — Congenital deformities of feet (via Q72.-), Q68 — Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities (via Q72.-), Q74 — Other congenital malformations of limb(s) (via Q72.-), Z89 — Acquired absence of limb (via Q72.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 1 Excludes2 note: M95 — Other acquired deformities of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (via Q72.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 564 (MDC 08), DRG 565 (MDC 08), DRG 566 (MDC 08).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):MAL008 — Musculoskeletal congenital conditions (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same condition, different side

Same title, differing only in which side of the body it names: right, left, bilateral or unspecified.

Q72.10 — Congenital absence of unspecified thigh and lower leg with foot present (unspecified)Compare Q72.12 vs Q72.10 →, Q72.11 — Congenital absence of right thigh and lower leg with foot present (right)Compare Q72.12 vs Q72.11 →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Musculoskeletal congenital conditions).

Q71.90 — Unspecified reduction defect of unspecified upper limb, Q71.91 — Unspecified reduction defect of right upper limb, Q71.92 — Unspecified reduction defect of left upper limb, Q71.93 — Unspecified reduction defect of upper limb, bilateral, Q72.00 — Congenital complete absence of unspecified lower limb, Q72.01 — Congenital complete absence of right lower limb, Q72.02 — Congenital complete absence of left lower limb, Q72.03 — Congenital complete absence of lower limb, bilateral, Q72.10 — Congenital absence of unspecified thigh and lower leg with foot present, Q72.11 — Congenital absence of right thigh and lower leg with foot present, Q72.13 — Congenital absence of thigh and lower leg with foot present, bilateral, Q72.20 — Congenital absence of both lower leg and foot, unspecified lower limb, Q72.21 — Congenital absence of both lower leg and foot, right lower limb, Q72.22 — Congenital absence of both lower leg and foot, left lower limb, Q72.23 — Congenital absence of both lower leg and foot, bilateral, Q72.30 — Congenital absence of unspecified foot and toe(s), Q72.31 — Congenital absence of right foot and toe(s), Q72.32 — Congenital absence of left foot and toe(s), Q72.33 — Congenital absence of foot and toe(s), bilateral, Q72.40 — Longitudinal reduction defect of unspecified femur, +245 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Agenesis”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

Q60.0 — Renal agenesis, unilateral (renal, unilateral), Q60.1 — Renal agenesis, bilateral (renal, bilateral), Q60.2 — Renal agenesis, unspecified (renal), Q62.4 — Agenesis of ureter (ureter), Q64.5 — Congenital absence of bladder and urethra (urethra), Q64.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of urinary system (urinary tract NEC), Q71.0 — Congenital complete absence of upper limb (arm), Q71.1 — Congenital absence of upper arm and forearm with hand present (arm, with hand present), Q71.2 — Congenital absence of both forearm and hand (forearm, and hand), Q71.3 — Congenital absence of hand and finger (hand), Q73.0 — Congenital absence of unspecified limb(s) (limb), Q74.0 — Other congenital malformations of upper limb(s), including shoulder girdle (scapula), Q74.1 — Congenital malformation of knee (patella), Q74.2 — Other congenital malformations of lower limb(s), including pelvic girdle (pelvic girdle), Q75.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of skull and face bones (skull), Q76.49 — Other congenital malformations of spine, not associated with scoliosis (spine), Q76.6 — Other congenital malformations of ribs (rib), Q76.7 — Congenital malformation of sternum (sternum), Q79.1 — Other congenital malformations of diaphragm (diaphragm), Q79.8 — Other congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system (muscle), +91 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of Q72.12 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run Q72.12 with these 7 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 08 — Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 18,439 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Nearest codes (40)

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "Q72.12 — Congenital absence of left thigh and lower leg with foot present." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/q72.12-congenital-absence-of-left-thigh-and-lower-leg-with-foot-present

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Congenital absence of left thigh and lower leg with foot present

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to Q72.12 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the Q72 family