ICD-10 Coding for Osteochondral Lesion(M93.26-, M93.21-, M24.17-)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Osteochondral Lesion. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Osteochondral Lesion
M93.2Primary Range
Osteochondritis dissecans
Primary range for osteochondral lesions, covering knee and shoulder involvement.
Other articular cartilage disorders
Covers osteochondral lesions in the ankle and foot without loose bodies.
Sprain and strain of ankle
Used for acute traumatic osteochondral lesions linked to recent injury.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| M93.26- | Osteochondritis dissecans of knee | Use when OCD lesions are confirmed by imaging with documentation of fragment stability and location. |
|
| M93.21- | Osteochondritis dissecans of shoulder | Use for OCD lesions in the shoulder with specific glenoid or humeral head involvement. |
|
| M24.17- | Other articular cartilage disorders, ankle and foot | Use for chronic osteochondral lesions in the ankle and foot without loose bodies. |
|
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 osteochondral lesion
Essential facts and insights about Osteochondral Lesion
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for osteochondral lesion
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- MRI confirmation of subchondral fracture
Applicable To
- OCD lesions confirmed by imaging with fragment stability and location
Excludes
- Acute osteochondral fractures
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI showing subchondral fracture and cartilage breach
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly coding acute fractures as OCD
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies whether the lesion involves cartilage or bone.
M93.21- - Osteochondritis dissecans of shoulder
Use for OCD lesions in the shoulder with specific glenoid or humeral head involvement.
Applicable To
- Glenoid or humeral head involvement
Excludes
- Generalized cartilage loss without OCD features
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI showing loose body and subchondral fracture
Coding Notes
Documentation must specify the specific area of involvement in the shoulder.
M24.17- - Other articular cartilage disorders, ankle and foot
Use for chronic osteochondral lesions in the ankle and foot without loose bodies.
Applicable To
- Talar osteochondral lesions without loose bodies
Excludes
- Acute traumatic osteochondral lesions
Clinical Validation Requirements
- CT confirming subchondral cyst without loose body
Coding Notes
Ensure chronicity is documented and no loose bodies are present.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Disorder of ligament, ankle
M24.27Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Osteochondral Lesion to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M93.26-.
Impact
Clinical: Impacts treatment decisions., Regulatory: Leads to coding inaccuracies., Financial: Potential for incorrect billing.
Mitigation Strategy
Use specific terminology, Include imaging findings
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect reimbursement due to misclassification., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.
Mitigation Strategy
Use S93.4- + S82.8- for acute fractures.
Impact
Using unspecified codes without imaging correlation.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure all documentation includes imaging findings and lesion specifics.
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 Osteochondral Lesion, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Osteochondral Lesion
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Osteochondral Lesion. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Knee OCD with arthroscopic treatment
Specialty: OrthopedicsRequired Elements
- Size and stability of lesion
- Imaging findings
- Procedure details
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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