2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R26.1Paralytic gait

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R25-R29›R26

ICD-10-CM R26.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R26.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for paralytic gait. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as diplegic gait. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R26.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Paralytic gait
Short Description
Paralytic gait
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R26
Abnormalities of gait and mobility

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR25-R29Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
CategoryR26Abnormalities of gait and mobility
This CodeR26.1Paralytic gait

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Diplegic gait
  • Hemiplegic gait
  • Intermittent double-step gait
  • Paraplegic gait
  • Scissoring gait
  • Spastic gait

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Spastic gait

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.

    • Gait abnormality
      • paralytic
    • Gait abnormality
      • spastic
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • gait

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM010
Nervous system signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Spastic Gait

    a pattern of walking found in individuals with chronically-contracted leg muscles in which the affected leg or legs drag in a stiff, semicircular motion during ambulation. this may be seen in patients with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.

Patient EducationClinical

Walking Problems

If you are like most people, you walk thousands of steps each day. You walk to do your daily activities, get around, and exercise. It's something that you usually don't think about. But for those people who have a problem with walking, daily life can be more difficult.

The full article covers:

  • What are walking problems?
  • What causes walking problems?
  • How is the cause of a walking problem diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for walking problems?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R26.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
781.2 Abnormality of gait
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 R26.1Overview

Is R26.1 (Abnormalities of gait and mobility) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report paralytic gait on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can R26.1 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the paralytic gait is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R26.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, paralytic gait converts to ICD-9-CM 781.2 (abnormality of gait). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.