G51.0

Bell’s palsy

A syndrome characterized by the acute onset of unilateral facial paralysis which progresses over a 2-5 day period. Weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscle and resulting incomplete eye closure may be associated with corneal injury. Pain behind the ear often precedes the onset of paralysis. This condition may be associated with herpesvirus 1, human infection of the facial nerve. Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1376)

If you have bell’s palsy, the muscles in your face become temporarily paralyzed. It usually affects just one side of the face. Symptoms appear suddenly – you can’t shut your eye and your mouth droops. Symptoms are usually worst about 48 hours after they start. Scientists think that a viral infection makes the facial nerve swell or become inflamed. You are most likely to get bell’s palsy if you are pregnant, diabetic or sick with a cold or flu.three in four patients improve without treatment. With or without treatment, most people begin to get better within 2 weeks and most recover completely within 3 to 6 months.

Partial or complete paralysis of the facial muscles of one side of a person’s face. It is caused by damage to the seventh cranial nerve. It is usually temporary but it may recur.

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.

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.

G51.0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

This is the American ICD-10-CM version of G51.0 – other international versions of ICD-10 G51.0 may differ.