Find information on Generalized Osteoarthritis diagnosis, including clinical documentation tips, medical coding guidelines for ICD-10-CM code M15, and healthcare resources for managing this widespread joint disease. Learn about symptoms, treatment options, and best practices for accurate osteoarthritis documentation to support proper medical billing and coding. Explore resources for healthcare professionals related to generalized osteoarthritis care.
Also known as
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease affecting specific joints or generalized.
Arthropathies
Disorders affecting joints including inflammatory and non-inflammatory types.
Other osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis not otherwise specified, including generalized osteoarthritis.
Diseases of musculoskeletal/connective tissue
Wide range of disorders affecting bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is osteoarthritis primary (idiopathic)?
Yes
Involves multiple sites?
No
Post-traumatic?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Generalized osteoarthritis |
Primary osteoarthritis, unspecified |
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis |
Coding generalized OA without specifying affected joints leads to inaccurate severity and payment. Use combination codes or multiple site-specific codes.
Miscoding osteoporosis (M80.-, M81.-) as OA (M15.--M19.-) due to similar symptoms impacts data integrity and reimbursement.
Failing to document laterality for paired joints in generalized OA (e.g., knees, hips) can affect coding accuracy and statistical analysis.
Patient presents with chronic joint pain consistent with generalized osteoarthritis (OA), impacting multiple joints. Symptoms include morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, crepitus on examination, and pain exacerbated by activity, improving with rest. Affected joints demonstrate bony enlargement and tenderness to palpation. Radiographic findings reveal joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis. Diagnosis of generalized osteoarthritis is made based on clinical presentation, physical examination findings, and radiographic evidence. Differential diagnoses considered include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and crystalline arthropathy. Assessment includes review of medical history, including family history of osteoarthritis, and assessment of functional limitations and pain levels using a validated pain scale such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Treatment plan includes patient education on osteoarthritis management, weight management strategies if applicable, regular exercise including range of motion and strengthening exercises, and pharmacological management with over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen or NSAIDs. Referral to physical therapy for individualized exercise program and occupational therapy for assistive devices will be considered based on patient needs and functional limitations. Patient was counseled on the importance of self-management strategies and follow-up care. ICD-10 code M15.0 will be used for billing purposes. Future appointments will focus on monitoring symptom progression, medication effectiveness, and functional improvement.