ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BQ48 includes procedures performed to image structures in the left knee using ultrasonography. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when real-time ultrasound imaging of the left knee is performed to evaluate bone or adjacent soft tissue anatomy or flow information. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BQ48 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Left Knee Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes real-time ultrasonography imaging of the left knee, using reflected high-frequency sound waves to create images of non-axial lower bone structures and surrounding soft tissues. The procedures target the non-axial lower bones body system and specifically the left knee. Accurate coding ensures inpatient records reflect the imaging performed and supports appropriate inpatient reimbursement and case mix reporting.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
Q	Body System	Non-Axial Lower Bones
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
8	Body Part	Knee, Left

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Left Knee Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
Q	Body System	Non-Axial Lower Bones
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
8	Body Part	Knee, Left

When to Use

Use a code from this group when ultrasonography is performed on the left knee during an inpatient stay to evaluate bone or adjacent soft tissue structures or blood flow. Select the appropriate code when the procedure documents real-time imaging as the operative action performed on the left knee.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BQ48ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Left Knee

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient is admitted after a fall with severe left knee swelling, localized tenderness, and decreased range of motion; concern for intra-articular effusion, meniscal injury, or occult fracture prompts inpatient diagnostic evaluation. Real-time ultrasonography of the left knee is performed at the bedside to assess for joint effusion, suprapatellar fluid collection, and soft-tissue injury guiding further management. Typical codes: BQ48ZZZ
An elderly patient hospitalized for worsening chronic left knee pain and progressive limited ambulation undergoes inpatient preoperative assessment prior to planned joint-sparing intervention; clinicians need dynamic assessment of periarticular soft tissues and guidance for targeted aspiration or injection if indicated. Real-time ultrasonography of the left knee is used to visualize synovial hypertrophy, effusion, and adjacent bursae to inform the surgical plan and any immediate bedside procedures. Typical codes: BQ48ZZZ
A postoperative patient on the inpatient ward develops acute increased left knee swelling, erythema, and fever raising concern for infectious or inflammatory complication at the surgical site or prosthesis region. Bedside left knee ultrasonography is performed to rapidly detect joint effusion, loculated collections, or fluid amenable to aspiration for diagnostic culture during the same admission. Typical codes: BQ48ZZZ

Related Codes

BQ40-RIGHT-HIP-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Right Hip: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ41-LEFT-HIP-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Hip: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ42-HIPS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Hips: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ47-RIGHT-KNEE-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Right Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ49-KNEES-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Knees: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BQ48ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Left Knee

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient is admitted after a fall with severe left knee swelling, localized tenderness, and decreased range of motion; concern for intra-articular effusion, meniscal injury, or occult fracture prompts inpatient diagnostic evaluation. Real-time ultrasonography of the left knee is performed at the bedside to assess for joint effusion, suprapatellar fluid collection, and soft-tissue injury guiding further management. Typical codes: BQ48ZZZ
An elderly patient hospitalized for worsening chronic left knee pain and progressive limited ambulation undergoes inpatient preoperative assessment prior to planned joint-sparing intervention; clinicians need dynamic assessment of periarticular soft tissues and guidance for targeted aspiration or injection if indicated. Real-time ultrasonography of the left knee is used to visualize synovial hypertrophy, effusion, and adjacent bursae to inform the surgical plan and any immediate bedside procedures. Typical codes: BQ48ZZZ
A postoperative patient on the inpatient ward develops acute increased left knee swelling, erythema, and fever raising concern for infectious or inflammatory complication at the surgical site or prosthesis region. Bedside left knee ultrasonography is performed to rapidly detect joint effusion, loculated collections, or fluid amenable to aspiration for diagnostic culture during the same admission. Typical codes: BQ48ZZZ

Related Codes

BQ40-RIGHT-HIP-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Right Hip: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ41-LEFT-HIP-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Hip: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ42-HIPS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Hips: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ47-RIGHT-KNEE-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Right Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview

BQ49-KNEES-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Knees: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Left Knee Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Knee: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Left Knee Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedure does ICD-10-PCS code group BQ48 represent?

Which specific code is listed in the BQ48 group for the left knee?

What are the key code attributes for the left knee ultrasonography group?

Why is accurate coding within the BQ48 group important?

When should `BQ48ZZZ` be used in inpatient records?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedure does ICD-10-PCS code group BQ48 represent?

Which specific code is listed in the BQ48 group for the left knee?

What are the key code attributes for the left knee ultrasonography group?

Why is accurate coding within the BQ48 group important?

When should `BQ48ZZZ` be used in inpatient records?

References