Find information on Left Knee Lateral Meniscus Tear diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes, MRI findings, treatment options, and prognosis. Learn about meniscus tear symptoms, physical exam findings, and appropriate medical terminology for accurate healthcare records and billing. This resource provides guidance for physicians, coders, and other healthcare professionals dealing with lateral meniscus injuries.
Also known as
Tear of lateral meniscus of left knee
Covers isolated and combined tears of the left knee's lateral meniscus.
Injury of meniscus
Includes tears and other injuries to knee menisci, unspecified side.
Injuries to the knee and lower leg
Encompasses various injuries to the knee and lower leg area.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the tear traumatic?
Yes
Is it acute?
No
Is it degenerative?
When to use each related code
Description |
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Left Knee Lateral Meniscus Tear |
Left Knee Lateral Meniscus Degeneration |
Left Knee Lateral Compartment Pain |
Coding left knee tear without specifying laterality can lead to incorrect reimbursement and data analysis. Use appropriate laterality codes.
Failing to document acute, chronic, or other tear attributes impacts coding accuracy and clinical documentation integrity. Specify tear type.
Coding a suspected tear without confirmatory imaging or documentation creates compliance and coding risks. Code confirmed diagnoses only.
Patient presents with complaints of left knee pain, consistent with a suspected left knee lateral meniscus tear. Onset of symptoms occurred [Date of onset] following [Mechanism of injury, e.g., twisting injury while playing basketball]. Patient reports localized lateral knee pain exacerbated by weight-bearing activities, particularly with pivoting or squatting. Symptoms include clicking, popping, catching, and occasional locking of the left knee joint. Patient denies any numbness, tingling, or radiating pain. Physical examination reveals tenderness to palpation along the lateral joint line. Positive McMurray's test and Thessaly test suggest lateral meniscus pathology. Range of motion is slightly limited in flexion and extension compared to the contralateral knee. No effusion or erythema noted. A differential diagnosis includes lateral collateral ligament sprain, iliotibial band syndrome, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. To confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the tear, an MRI of the left knee without contrast is ordered. Initial treatment plan includes RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, elevation), NSAIDs for pain and inflammation management, and physical therapy referral for strengthening and range of motion exercises. Surgical intervention, such as a partial or total meniscectomy or meniscus repair, may be considered depending on MRI findings and patient response to conservative treatment. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [Duration] to review MRI results and discuss further management.