2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R29.5Transient paralysis

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R25-R29›R29

ICD-10-CM R29.5
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R29.5 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for transient paralysis. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R29.5
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Transient paralysis
Short Description
Transient paralysis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R29
Other symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR25-R29Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
CategoryR29Other symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
This CodeR29.5Transient paralysis

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Code First

Type 1 Excludes

  • transient ischemic attack G45.9

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.

    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • transient

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

Patient EducationClinical

Paralysis

Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in part of your body. It happens when something goes wrong with the way messages pass between your brain and muscles. Paralysis can be complete or partial. It can occur on one or both sides of your body. It can also occur in just one area, or it can be widespread.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R29.5 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
781.4 Transient limb paralysis
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 R29.5Overview

Is R29.5 a billable code?

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

Can R29.5 be a principal diagnosis?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R29.5?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, transient paralysis converts to ICD-9-CM 781.4 (transient limb paralysis). 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.