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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOsteoarthritisICD-10-CM m17-osteoarthritis-of-knee
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Osteoarthritis Of Knee: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group M17 includes codes for osteoarthritis of the knee, covering primary, secondary, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis as well as laterality-specific designations. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios such as symptomatic knee degeneration, posttraumatic joint changes, and distinctions between right, left, or bilateral involvement to capture disease complexity. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM M17 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM M17: Osteoarthritis Of Knee Overview

    The diagnostic codes in this group represent degenerative joint disease specifically affecting the knee joint, including unilateral and bilateral presentations and posttraumatic changes. These conditions target the musculoskeletal system and joint cartilage, often leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it documents disease severity and laterality, which can affect claim adjudication and medical necessity determinations.

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    When to Use

    Select a code from this group when documentation indicates a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, specifying whether it is primary, secondary, or posttraumatic and noting right, left, or bilateral involvement. Use the most specific code available that matches the clinical documentation to reflect disease severity and laterality.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    11 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M17.0Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.10Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, unspecified knee
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
    M17.2Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.30Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, unspecified knee
    M17.31Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.32Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left knee
    M17.4Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.5Other unilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.9Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    553Bone Diseases and Arthropathies with MCC
    554Bone Diseases and Arthropathies without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An elderly patient with long-standing progressive medial knee pain and stiffness limiting walking and climbing stairs presents to their primary care physician for worsening chronic symptoms despite conservative therapy; examination shows crepitus, reduced range of motion, and bony enlargement of the joint consistent with primary degenerative osteoarthritis, so a code from this group denoting osteoarthritis of the knee without laterality-specific acute exacerbation is assigned. Typical codes: M17.9
    • A middle-aged patient with a history of prior meniscal injury now reports unilateral mechanical knee symptoms, intermittent swelling, and activity-related pain that has progressed over months; radiographs demonstrate joint space narrowing and osteophytes localized to the right knee consistent with unilateral primary osteoarthritis, therefore a right-sided knee osteoarthritis code is used. Typical codes: M17.11, M17.31
    • A patient with known post-traumatic left knee osteoarthritis following a remote fracture presents to orthopedics with worsening pain and deformity and is being evaluated for potential joint replacement; because the knee osteoarthritis is chronic and side-specific with prior joint damage contributing to degenerative changes, a left-sided code reflecting osteoarthritis of the knee is assigned. Typical codes: M17.12, M17.32

    Related Codes

    M15-POLYOSTEOARTHRITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Polyosteoarthritis: Group Overview

    M16-OSTEOARTHRITIS-OF-HIP

    ICD-10-CM Code For Osteoarthritis Of Hip: Group Overview

    M18-OSTEOARTHRITIS-FIRST-CARPOMETACARPAL-JOINT

    ICD-10-CM Code For Osteoarthritis Of First Carpometacarpal Joint: Group Overview

    M19-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-OSTEOARTHRITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Osteoarthritis: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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