ICD-10 Code for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Also searched as carpal tunnel

The ICD-10-CM code for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the side: G56.01 for the right side, G56.02 for the left, G56.03 for both sides and G56.00 when the side is not documented. G56.0 itself is a header code and cannot be billed. Valid for FY2027.

G56.0- is a header — not billableLaterality required

Carpal tunnel syndrome ICD-10 codes at a glance

Condition	Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
Right	G56.01 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
Left	G56.02 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
Bilateral	G56.03 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
Unspecified	G56.00 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, unspecified upper limb
Billable	No — G56.0 is a header; use a code beneath it
Alphabetic Index entry	Syndrome, carpal tunnel
Code set	ICD-10-CM FY2027, valid October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

What is the ICD-10 code for right carpal tunnel syndrome?

The ICD-10-CM code for right carpal tunnel syndrome is G56.01 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb. G56.01 is billable.

What is the ICD-10 code for left carpal tunnel syndrome?

The ICD-10-CM code for left carpal tunnel syndrome is G56.02 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb. G56.02 is billable.

Is there an ICD-10 code for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome?

Yes. The ICD-10-CM code for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is G56.03 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs. G56.03 is billable.

“When a patient has a bilateral condition and each side is treated during separate encounters, assign the "bilateral" code (as the condition still exists on both sides), including for the encounter to treat the first side.”
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.B.13

“For the second encounter for treatment after one side has previously been treated and the condition no longer exists on that side, assign the appropriate unilateral code for the side where the condition still exists (e.g., cataract surgery performed on each eye in separate encounters). The bilateral code would not be assigned for the subsequent encounter, as the patient no longer has the condition in the previously-treated site.”
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.B.13

When can the unspecified-side code for carpal tunnel syndrome be used?

The unspecified-side code for carpal tunnel syndrome is G56.00 — Carpal tunnel syndrome, unspecified upper limb. G56.00 is billable.

“If the side is not identified in the medical record, assign the code for the unspecified side.”
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.B.13

“Codes for "unspecified" side should rarely be used, such as when the documentation in the record is insufficient to determine the affected side and it is not possible to obtain clarification.”
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.B.13

What does the Tabular List say about G56.0?

The instructional notes that govern G56.0-, including those it inherits from its category and chapter. An Excludes1 note means the two codes are never reported together.

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from G50-G59

The conditions below can never be reported together with G56.0 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

current traumatic nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders - see Injury, nerve by body region
neuralgia NOS (M79.2)
neuritis NOS (M79.2)
peripheral neuritis in pregnancy (O26.82-)
radiculitis NOS (M54.1-)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from G56