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ICD-10 Coding for Arthritis of Right Knee(M17.11, M17.31)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Arthritis of Right Knee. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Right Knee OsteoarthritisRight Knee Degenerative Joint Disease

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Arthritis of Right Knee

M15-M19Primary Range

Arthritis and osteoarthritis

This range includes codes for various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, which is relevant for coding arthritis of the right knee.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right kneeUse when the patient has primary osteoarthritis in the right knee without a history of trauma.
  • X-ray showing joint space narrowing
  • Physical exam findings of crepitus and reduced range of motion
M17.31Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right kneeUse when osteoarthritis is secondary to a previous knee injury.
  • History of significant knee trauma or surgery
  • Imaging showing degenerative changes at the site of previous injury

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for arthritis of right knee

Essential facts and insights about Arthritis of Right Knee

The ICD-10 code for unilateral primary osteoarthritis of the right knee is M17.11.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for arthritis of right knee

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of osteophytes and joint space narrowing on imaging

documentation Criteria

  • Documentation of 'primary' osteoarthritis and right knee laterality

Applicable To

  • Primary osteoarthritis of the right knee

Excludes

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (M17.31)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • X-ray showing joint space narrowing
  • Physical exam findings of crepitus and reduced range of motion

Code-Specific Risks

  • Ensure laterality is documented to avoid unspecified coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'primary' osteoarthritis and includes imaging findings.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Pain in right knee

M25.561
Use when pain is a significant symptom and the etiology is unclear.

Old tear of anterior cruciate ligament of right knee

S83.511D
Use to specify the original traumatic injury.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right knee

M17.31
Use when osteoarthritis is due to a previous injury or trauma.

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee

M17.11
Use when there is no history of trauma.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Arthritis of Right Knee to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M17.11.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include imaging results in the documentation., Review documentation templates for completeness.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to reduced reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document and code the specific side affected.

Impact

Failure to document laterality can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement a checklist to ensure laterality is documented.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Arthritis of Right Knee, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Arthritis of Right Knee

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Arthritis of Right Knee. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Primary osteoarthritis of the right knee

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • History of present illness
  • Physical examination findings
  • Imaging results
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

62-year-old female with 18-month history of progressive right knee pain, morning stiffness <20 mins, X-ray shows joint space narrowing.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Right knee arthritis.
Good Documentation Example
Primary osteoarthritis of the right knee with medial joint line tenderness and crepitus, X-ray shows joint space narrowing <2mm.
Explanation
The good example specifies the type of arthritis, laterality, and includes imaging findings.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Arthritis of Right Knee? Ask your questions below.

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