2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q68.5Congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q65-Q79›Q68

ICD-10-CM Q68.5
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q68.5 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 564 through 566. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as bowing deformity of lower leg. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal congenital conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q68.5
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified
Short Description
Congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q68
Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ65-Q79Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system
CategoryQ68Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities
This CodeQ68.5Congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q68.5 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bowing deformity of lower leg
  • Congenital abnormal shape of fibula
  • Congenital abnormal shape of tibia
  • Congenital bowing of femur
  • Congenital bowing of tibia and/or fibula
  • Congenital bowing of tibia, fibula and femur
  • Deformity of fibula

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Bowing
      • leg (s), long bones, congenital
    • Bowleg(s) (acquired)
      • congenital

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MAL008
Musculoskeletal congenital conditions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Birth Defects

A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of pregnancy. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.

The full article covers:

  • What are birth defects?
  • What causes birth defects?
  • Who is at risk of having a baby with birth defects?
  • How are birth defects diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for birth defects?
  • Can birth defects be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert Q68.5 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
754.44 Cong bowing leg NOS
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Q68.5Overview

Is Q68.5 (Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does Q68.5 group to?

When congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 564, 565, 566, with relative weights from 0.7493 to 1.5436 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is Q68.5 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q68.5?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, congenital bowing of long bones of leg, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 754.44 (cong bowing leg NOS). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.