Abnormal involuntary movements (R25) ICD-10-CM
The R25 code range covers abnormal involuntary movements with 7 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 6 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Codes in the R25 Range 7 codes · 6 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the R25 range.
Acanthosis Nigricans
A circumscribed melanosis consisting of a brown-pigmented, velvety verrucosity or fine papillomatosis appearing in the axillae and other body folds. It occurs in association with endocrine disorders, underlying malignancy, administration of certain drugs, or as in inherited disorder.
Ataxia
Impairment of the ability to perform smoothly coordinated voluntary movements. This condition may affect the limbs, trunk, eyes, pharynx, larynx, and other structures. Ataxia may result from impaired sensory or motor function. Sensory ataxia may result from posterior column injury or PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASES. Motor ataxia may be associated with CEREBELLAR DISEASES; CEREBRAL CORTEX diseases; THALAMIC DISEASES; BASAL GANGLIA DISEASES; injury to the RED NUCLEUS; and other conditions.
Athetosis
A dyskinesia characterized by an inability to maintain the fingers, toes, tongue, or other body parts in a stable position, resulting in continuous slow, sinusoidal, and flowing involuntary movements. This condition is frequently accompanied by CHOREA, where it is referred to as choreoathetosis. Athetosis may occur as a manifestation of BASAL GANGLIA DISEASES or DRUG TOXICITY. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p76)
Axon Fasciculation
Process of organizing neighboring AXONS into a bundle or a fascicle during neurite outgrowth mediated by CELL ADHESION MOLECULES.
Blinking
Brief closing of the eyelids by involuntary normal periodic closing, as a protective measure, or by voluntary action.
Essential Tremor
A relatively common disorder characterized by a fairly specific pattern of tremors which are most prominent in the upper extremities and neck, inducing titubations of the head. The tremor is usually mild, but when severe may be disabling. An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance may occur in some families (i.e., familial tremor). (Mov Disord 1988;13(1):5-10)
Facial Paralysis
Severe or complete loss of facial muscle motor function. This condition may result from central or peripheral lesions. Damage to CNS motor pathways from the cerebral cortex to the facial nuclei in the pons leads to facial weakness that generally spares the forehead muscles. FACIAL NERVE DISEASES generally results in generalized hemifacial weakness. NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION DISEASES and MUSCULAR DISEASES may also cause facial paralysis or paresis.
Fasciculation
Involuntary contraction of the muscle fibers innervated by a motor unit. Fasciculations may be visualized as a muscle twitch or dimpling under the skin, but usually do not generate sufficient force to move a limb. They may represent a benign condition or occur as a manifestation of MOTOR NEURON DISEASE or PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1294)
Hypernatremia
Excessive amount of sodium in the blood. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Neuromuscular Diseases
A general term encompassing lower MOTOR NEURON DISEASE; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; and certain MUSCULAR DISEASES. Manifestations include MUSCLE WEAKNESS; FASCICULATION; muscle ATROPHY; SPASM; MYOKYMIA; MUSCLE HYPERTONIA, myalgias, and MUSCLE HYPOTONIA.
Synkinesis
An involuntary movement accompanying a volitional movement. It often refers to facial movements that accompany FACIAL PARALYSIS.
Tetanus
A disease caused by tetanospasmin, a powerful protein toxin produced by CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI. Tetanus usually occurs after an acute injury, such as a puncture wound or laceration. Generalized tetanus, the most common form, is characterized by tetanic muscular contractions and hyperreflexia. Localized tetanus presents itself as a mild condition with manifestations restricted to muscles near the wound. It may progress to the generalized form.
Tremor
Cyclical movement of a body part that can represent either a physiologic process or a manifestation of disease. Intention or action tremor, a common manifestation of CEREBELLAR DISEASES, is aggravated by movement. In contrast, resting tremor is maximal when there is no attempt at voluntary movement, and occurs as a relatively frequent manifestation of PARKINSON DISEASE.
Tremorine
Cyclical movement of a body part that can represent either a physiologic process or a manifestation of disease. Intention or action tremor, a common manifestation of CEREBELLAR DISEASES, is aggravated by movement. In contrast, resting tremor is maximal when there is no attempt at voluntary movement, and occurs as a relatively frequent manifestation of PARKINSON DISEASE.
Trismus
Spasmodic contraction of the masseter muscle resulting in forceful jaw closure. This may be seen with a variety of diseases, including TETANUS, as a complication of radiation therapy, trauma, or in association with neoplastic conditions.
About the R25 Code Range
ICD-10 code R25 covers a group of conditions related to abnormal involuntary movements, including tremors, cramps, fasciculations, and other uncontrolled motor symptoms. These codes are specifically used to identify and document various involuntary motions that affect muscle control and coordination.
The section includes R25.0 for abnormal head movements, addressing difficulties such as abnormal posture control of the head. R25.1 represents unspecified tremors, encompassing many types like fine, coarse, and physiological tremors, helping coders distinguish between different tremor causes. R25.2 is for cramps and spasms, which can involve muscles of the limbs or other areas and relate to diverse syndromes from benign cramps to severe spasticity. R25.3 denotes fasciculations, or muscle twitches, often linked to spinal neuron disorders. The code R25.8 covers other abnormal involuntary movements such as clonus, athetosis, and excessive blinking. Finally, R25.9 is reserved for unspecified abnormal involuntary movements when the exact type is not detailed. Understanding these codes assists health professionals in precise documentation and management of involuntary movement disorders, improving clinical communication and patient care.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the R25 range?
Of the 7 codes in this range, 6 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the R25 range classify?
The range classifies abnormal involuntary movements. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
