Understanding Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis (AC Joint Osteoarthritis or ACJ Arthritis) is crucial for accurate clinical documentation and medical coding. This resource provides information on diagnosing and managing AC Joint OA, including symptoms, treatment options, and relevant ICD-10 and CPT codes for healthcare professionals. Learn about Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis and improve your medical coding accuracy.
Also known as
Primary osteoarthritis, acromioclavicular joint
Osteoarthritis primarily affecting the acromioclavicular joint.
Arthrosis
Joint degeneration including osteoarthritis and other arthritic conditions.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Encompasses various disorders affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the osteoarthritis isolated to the acromioclavicular joint?
Yes
Is there post-traumatic osteoarthritis?
No
Does osteoarthritis involve other shoulder joints?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| AC joint wear-and-tear arthritis. |
| Shoulder separation from AC ligament tear. |
| Inflamed AC joint, not from infection. |
Missing or incorrect laterality (right, left, bilateral) for AC joint osteoarthritis can lead to claim denials or inaccurate reimbursement.
Coding to a more specific osteoarthritis type when documentation only supports AC joint osteoarthritis can result in audit issues.
Incorrectly coding osteoarthritis when the AC joint condition is due to trauma instead of degeneration can lead to inaccurate reporting.
Q: What are the most effective conservative management strategies for patients with Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis confirmed by physical exam and imaging?
A: Conservative management of Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis typically begins with non-pharmacological interventions. These include activity modification, avoiding movements that exacerbate pain (such as overhead lifting or reaching across the body), and physical therapy focused on strengthening the surrounding rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing muscles. Explore how targeted exercises can improve joint stability and biomechanics. For pain management, consider implementing initial treatment with topical NSAIDs or oral analgesics. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections can provide temporary relief for some patients, but the evidence for long-term benefit is limited. Learn more about the role of corticosteroid injections in managing AC joint pain and the potential risks associated with repeated injections. If conservative measures fail to provide adequate relief, surgical options may be considered.
Q: How can I differentiate Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis from other shoulder pathologies like rotator cuff tears or subacromial impingement during clinical examination?
A: Differentiating AC Joint Osteoarthritis from other shoulder conditions requires a thorough clinical examination. Specific tests, like the cross-body adduction test (where the arm is horizontally adducted across the body) and the O'Brien's test, can help isolate AC joint pain. Palpation directly over the AC joint can elicit tenderness specific to AC joint pathology. Pain localized superiorly and anteriorly in the shoulder, exacerbated by horizontal adduction or internal rotation, suggests AC Joint involvement. Compare this with pain in the subacromial space during abduction or external rotation, which points towards rotator cuff or subacromial impingement. Consider implementing dynamic ultrasound or MRI imaging for definitive diagnosis and to rule out other pathologies such as rotator cuff tears or labral tears. Explore how advanced imaging techniques can help identify the specific structures involved and guide treatment decisions.
Patient presents with complaints of shoulder pain localized to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Symptoms include pain with overhead activities, tenderness to palpation over the AC joint, and possible crepitus with shoulder range of motion. The patient reports the pain as a dull ache, occasionally sharp with movement, and sometimes radiating into the lateral deltoid muscle. Onset of pain is gradual and has been worsening over the past [number] monthsweeks. Patient denies any specific trauma or injury to the shoulder. Physical exam reveals a positive cross-body adduction test and limited shoulder abduction and flexion. Radiographic imaging of the affected shoulder demonstrates osteophytes, joint space narrowing, and subchondral sclerosis consistent with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. Differential diagnosis includes rotator cuff tear, impingement syndrome, and cervical radiculopathy. Assessment: Acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. Plan: Conservative management with NSAIDs for pain relief, physical therapy for range of motion and strengthening exercises, and patient education on activity modification. Follow up in [number] weeks to assess response to treatment. If symptoms persist, consider corticosteroid injection or referral to orthopedics for further evaluation and management options, including surgical intervention such as distal clavicle excision. ICD-10 code M19.011 will be used for billing purposes.