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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther joint disordersICD-10-CM m23-internal-derangement-of-knee
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Internal Derangement Of Knee: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group M23 includes diagnoses for internal derangements of the knee such as meniscal tears, displaced meniscal fragments, chondral injuries, and chronic derangement conditions affecting intra-articular structures. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical situations involving structural knee joint damage, mechanical symptoms, and chronic instability, capturing disease severity and anatomic involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM M23 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM M23: Internal Derangement Of Knee Overview

    The ICD-10-CM M23 code group covers internal derangements of the knee, including meniscal tears, articular cartilage damage, and chronic instability or displacement of intra-articular structures. These diagnoses target the musculoskeletal system, specifically knee joint structures responsible for stability and load transmission. Accurate coding matters for correct clinical documentation and supports appropriate reimbursement by reflecting disease severity and required interventions.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient has documented internal knee pathology such as a meniscal tear, displaced meniscal fragment, chondral lesion, or chronic intra-articular derangement identified by imaging or surgical findings. Select the code that best reflects the specific lesion, laterality, and chronicity as documented in the medical record.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    111 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M23.000Cystic meniscus, unspecified lateral meniscus, right knee
    M23.001Cystic meniscus, unspecified lateral meniscus, left knee
    M23.002Cystic meniscus, unspecified lateral meniscus, unspecified knee
    M23.003Cystic meniscus, unspecified medial meniscus, right knee
    M23.004Cystic meniscus, unspecified medial meniscus, left knee
    M23.005Cystic meniscus, unspecified medial meniscus, unspecified knee
    M23.006Cystic meniscus, unspecified meniscus, right knee
    M23.007Cystic meniscus, unspecified meniscus, left knee
    M23.009Cystic meniscus, unspecified meniscus, unspecified knee
    M23.011Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of medial meniscus, right knee
    M23.012Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of medial meniscus, left knee
    M23.019Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of medial meniscus, unspecified knee
    M23.021Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of medial meniscus, right knee
    M23.022Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of medial meniscus, left knee
    M23.029Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of medial meniscus, unspecified knee
    M23.031Cystic meniscus, other medial meniscus, right knee
    M23.032Cystic meniscus, other medial meniscus, left knee
    M23.039Cystic meniscus, other medial meniscus, unspecified knee
    M23.041Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of lateral meniscus, right knee
    M23.042Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of lateral meniscus, left knee

    Showing 1–20 of 111

    DRG Codes

    5 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    562Fracture, Sprain, Strain and Dislocation Except Femur, Hip, Pelvis and Thigh with MCC
    563Fracture, Sprain, Strain and Dislocation Except Femur, Hip, Pelvis and Thigh without MCC
    564Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC
    565Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC
    566Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A middle-aged recreational runner presents to urgent care after twisting her knee during a run with immediate joint line pain, swelling, and a sensation of catching when she tries to extend the knee. Physical exam demonstrates a positive McMurray test and joint effusion; MRI confirms a displaced meniscal tear with mechanical locking. A diagnosis from this group is assigned for the acute internal derangement of the knee involving the meniscus. Typical codes: M23.201, M23.209
    • A 55-year-old patient with a multi-year history of intermittent knee pain, recurrent episodes of swelling, and progressive joint stiffness seeks outpatient orthopedic follow-up for worsening functional limitation. Imaging and arthroscopy reveal chronic degenerative changes of the meniscus with recurrent tears and scarring causing persistent mechanical symptoms; the condition is managed as a chronic internal derangement. Typical codes: M23.21, M23.22
    • A young athlete presents for preoperative evaluation after persistent knee instability following an old untreated ligamentous injury; exam and arthroscopy show combined ligamentous insufficiency with meniscal degeneration and loose bodies contributing to ongoing locking and pain. Because the internal structural disruption is a comorbid source of symptoms and requires documentation for surgical planning, an internal derangement code from this group is used in addition to other musculoskeletal codes. Typical codes: M23.311, M23.319

    Related Codes

    M20-ACQUIRED-DEFORMITIES-FINGERS-TOES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Acquired Deformities Of Fingers And Toes: Group Overview

    M21-OTHER-ACQUIRED-DEFORMITIES-OF-LIMBS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Acquired Deformities Of Limbs: Group Overview

    M22-DISORDER-OF-PATELLA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorder Of Patella: Group Overview

    M24-OTHER-SPECIFIC-JOINT-DERANGEMENTS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Specific Joint Derangements: Group Overview

    M25-OTHER-JOINT-DISORDER-NOT-ELSEWHERE-CLASSIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Joint Disorder Not Elsewhere Classified: 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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