ICD-10 Code G04.1 – Tropical spastic paraplegia (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G04.1 – Tropical spastic paraplegia
What it is
Tropical spastic paraplegia is a chronic neurologic disorder that affects the spinal cord and causes progressive stiffness and weakness, usually in the legs. In ICD-10-CM, G04.1 identifies this specific diagnosis.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include slowly progressive lower-limb spasticity, weakness, and gait difficulty. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for neurologic exam findings and any confirmed tropical spastic paraplegia diagnosis.
When to use this code
Use G04.1 when the provider documents tropical spastic paraplegia as the confirmed diagnosis. You may also use it when the record clearly identifies this condition during evaluation of progressive spastic paraparesis.
Do not assign it for nonspecific leg weakness or spasticity without documentation linking the condition to tropical spastic paraplegia. Check documentation if the cause is uncertain or another myelopathy is considered.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for general paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, or other specified spinal cord disorders unless tropical spastic paraplegia is documented. Avoid using it when the chart only says “spastic gait.”
Coding tip
Confirm the provider’s exact neurologic diagnosis before coding, because symptom-only documentation is not enough for G04.1.