Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees(M17.0, M17.2)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Degenerative Joint Disease of Both KneesBilateral Knee OA

Quick Navigation

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees

M15-M19Primary Range

Osteoarthritis

This range includes all osteoarthritis codes, with specific codes for bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M17.0Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of kneeUse when osteoarthritis is primary and affects both knees without a known cause.
  • X-ray or MRI showing bilateral joint space narrowing
  • Documentation stating 'primary osteoarthritis'
M17.2Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of kneeUse when osteoarthritis is secondary to a traumatic event affecting both knees.
  • History of knee trauma
  • Imaging showing post-traumatic changes

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 bilateral knee osteoarthritis

Essential facts and insights about Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees

The ICD-10 code for bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the knee is M17.0. Use M17.2 if the osteoarthritis is post-traumatic.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for osteoarthritis bilateral knee

M17.0
Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed bilateral knee involvement via imaging

documentation Criteria

  • Explicit mention of 'primary osteoarthritis'

Applicable To

  • Primary osteoarthritis of both knees

Excludes

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (M17.2)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • X-ray or MRI showing bilateral joint space narrowing
  • Documentation stating 'primary osteoarthritis'

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if laterality or cause is not specified

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'primary' to avoid incorrect coding.
View Full Code Details

Ancillary Codes

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

Obesity due to excess calories

E66.01
Use if obesity is a contributing factor to the osteoarthritis.

Differential Codes

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

Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee

M17.2
Use when osteoarthritis is due to previous trauma.

Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee

M17.0
Use when no trauma is involved.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M17.0.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to incorrect treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims or incorrect reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on documentation requirements., Use templates that prompt for OA type.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to claim denials or incorrect payments., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation explicitly states 'primary osteoarthritis'.

Impact

Lack of specificity in documentation can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all documentation includes specific OA type and laterality.

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 Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Orthopedic Progress Note

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Subjective pain assessment
  • Objective imaging findings
  • Assessment of OA type
  • Plan for management

Example Documentation

**Subjective**: '72F with 5-year history of progressive bilateral knee pain, worse with ambulation. No prior trauma.' **Objective**: - Gait: Antalgic, bilateral - ROM: 0-100° bilaterally with crepitus - Imaging: Bilateral weight-bearing X-rays show Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 3 OA **Assessment**: Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knees (M17.0) **Plan**: Celecoxib 200mg BID, referral to PT for quad strengthening

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has knee OA.
Good Documentation Example
Bilateral primary OA confirmed by weight-bearing X-rays showing medial compartment narrowing.
Explanation
The good example provides specificity and imaging confirmation, which are necessary for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees? Ask your questions below.

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more

Helpful Links

How ICD 10 AI Lookup WorksContact UsPrivacy Policy