ICD Code M17.9

ICD code M17.9 is used to identify a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee without specifying whether it affects the left or right knee. This code is utilized when the documentation does not provide enough detail to specify the affected side, allowing healthcare providers to record the presence of knee osteoarthritis in a general manner.

1. Persistent Knee Pain: The patient experiences ongoing pain in the knee joint, which may worsen with activity or after periods of rest.

2. Joint Stiffness: There is noticeable stiffness in the knee, particularly in the morning or after sitting for extended periods, which improves with movement.

3. Swelling or Tenderness: The knee joint may appear swollen, and there is tenderness upon palpation around the joint area.

4. Reduced Range of Motion: The patient has difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee, indicating a limitation in the joint's range of motion.

5. Crepitus: A grating sensation or sound is present when moving the knee, often described as a crackling or popping noise.

6. X-ray Findings: Radiographic evidence shows joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, or other degenerative changes in the knee joint.

7. Absence of Specific Cause: There is no identifiable cause for the knee symptoms, such as a recent injury or inflammatory condition, that would suggest an alternative diagnosis.

8. Age Factor: The patient is typically middle-aged or older, as osteoarthritis is more common in this demographic.

9. Exclusion of Other Conditions: Other potential causes of knee pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, have been ruled out through clinical evaluation and laboratory tests.

For the ICD code M17.9, which pertains to osteoarthritis of the knee, unspecified, the relevant CPT codes that may be used for treatment include:

1. 20610 - Arthrocentesis, aspiration, and/or injection into a major joint or bursa (e.g., knee joint, subacromial bursa), without ultrasound guidance.

2. 20611 - Arthrocentesis, aspiration, and/or injection into a major joint or bursa (e.g., knee joint, subacromial bursa), with ultrasound guidance.

3. 29870 - Arthroscopy, knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy (separate procedure).

4. 29871 - Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; for infection, lavage, and drainage.

5. 29881 - Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral, including any meniscal shaving).

6. 29888 - Arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction.

7. 27447 - Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing (total knee arthroplasty).

8. J7321 - Hyaluronan or derivative, Hyalgan or Supartz, for intra-articular injection, per dose.

These CPT codes represent a range of procedures and treatments that may be considered for managing the condition associated with ICD code M17.9. It's important for healthcare providers to select the appropriate CPT code based on the specific treatment or procedure performed.

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