M62.49 identifies pathological muscle contracture — persistent, often irreversible shortening of muscle tissue — occurring at two or more distinct anatomical sites simultaneously.
Verified May 8, 2026 · 4 sources ↓
- Status
- Billable
- Chapter
- 13
- Related CPT
- 13
- Region
- Multi-region
Documentation tips
What should appear in the chart to support M62.49.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 4 cited references ↓
- Name each affected muscle group and its anatomical site explicitly — 'bilateral hip flexor and bilateral knee flexor contractures' is billable; 'diffuse tightness' is not.
- Distinguish contracture from spasm or tendon contracture: document passive range-of-motion deficits with goniometric measurements to confirm fixed shortening rather than dynamic restriction.
- Record the underlying etiology (e.g., prolonged immobility, upper motor neuron lesion, prior trauma) — payers and auditors expect a clinical rationale linking cause to the multi-site pattern.
- If conservative treatment has been attempted, document modalities tried (stretching program, splinting, therapy frequency) prior to authorizing more invasive interventions; this anchors medical necessity.
- When imaging or EMG is ordered, link M62.49 explicitly in the order — CMS LCD A57478 lists it as a supporting diagnosis for nerve conduction and EMG studies.
Related CPT procedures
Procedure codes commonly billed with M62.49. Linking the right diagnosis to the right procedure is what establishes medical necessity.
Source · CMS LCDs · AAOS specialty guidance · claims-pattern analysis
Common coding pitfalls
The recurring mistakes coders make with M62.49 and adjacent codes.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CDC ICD-10-CM tabular guidance, AAOS coding references, and cited references ↓
- Billing M62.49 when only one site is involved: use the site-specific code (e.g., M62.461 right lower leg) — the 'multiple sites' designation requires documented contracture at two or more distinct anatomical locations.
- Using M62.49 alongside M24.5– for the same joint: the Type 1 Excludes note at M62.4 prohibits this combination; assign only the code that reflects the primary pathology.
- Coding M62.4 (the non-billable parent) instead of M62.49: M62.4 is not valid for reimbursement; always use the fully specified child code.
- Confusing muscle contracture with muscle spasm (R25.2) or joint stiffness (M25.6–): contracture implies persistent structural shortening, not a transient or neurologically mediated event — the clinical note must support that distinction.
- Omitting laterality detail in the notes even though M62.49 itself doesn't carry a laterality character: auditors still expect site documentation in the medical record to justify the multi-site claim.
Clinical context
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 4 cited references ↓
Use M62.49 when the clinical record documents fixed or semi-fixed muscle contractures affecting more than one discrete anatomical region. Classic orthopedic presentations include post-immobilization contractures spanning both the hip flexors and knee flexors after prolonged bed rest, or upper- and lower-extremity contractures following stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or severe burns. The key threshold: contracture must be documented at multiple sites — not just widespread muscle tightness or spasm.
M62.49 sits under parent code M62.4, which also includes contracture of tendon sheaths. A Type 1 Excludes note at the M62.4 level prohibits simultaneous use with contracture of joint (M24.5–). If the primary pathology is a joint contracture with secondary muscle involvement, M24.5– takes precedence. If true muscle contracture at multiple body regions is independently documented, M62.49 is the correct billable code.
This code supports medical necessity for nerve conduction studies and EMG (per CMS LCD A57478), physical and occupational therapy, serial casting, and surgical procedures such as muscle release or tendon lengthening. In inpatient settings, M62.49 groups to MS-DRG 555 (with MCC) or 556 (without MCC) under MS-DRG v43.0. If contractures are limited to a single, lateralizable site, drop to the appropriate site-specific M62.4x1/M62.4x2 code rather than using the multiple-sites designation.
Sibling codes
Other billable codes under M62.4 (laterality / anatomic variants).
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 4 cited references ↓
01When should I use M62.49 versus a site-specific M62.4 code?
02Can M62.49 and M24.5– be billed together?
03Does M62.49 support medical necessity for EMG and nerve conduction studies?
04What MS-DRG does M62.49 map to in the inpatient setting?
05Is there a distinction between coding muscle contracture and tendon contracture under M62.4?
06What documentation distinguishes contracture from muscle spasm for coding purposes?
07Can M62.49 be used as a secondary code?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.
- 01CDC ICD-10-CM Tabular List 2026 (effective October 1, 2025)
- 02icd10data.comhttps://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M60-M63/M62-/M62.49
- 03icd10data.comhttps://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M60-M63/M62-/M62.4
- 04cms.govhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid=57478&ver=37
Mira AI Scribe
Mira AI Scribe captures the passive ROM deficit measurements, the specific muscle groups involved at each site, the underlying etiology, and any prior conservative care attempts — all from the encounter note. This prevents the vague 'muscle tightness' language that triggers down-coding to unspecified soft tissue disorder codes and flags on medical necessity review.
See how Mira captures M62.49 documentation