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M17.0
ICD-10-CM
Osteoarthritis of Bilateral Knee

Find information on Osteoarthritis Bilateral Knee diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10-CM codes M17.0, M17.1, and laterality coding for both knees. Learn about healthcare guidelines for osteoarthritis, knee pain management, and relevant medical terminology for accurate documentation and billing. This resource offers insights for physicians, coders, and healthcare professionals dealing with bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

Also known as

Bilateral Knee OA
Degenerative Joint Disease of Both Knees

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Degenerative joint disease causing cartilage breakdown in both knees.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, stiffness, swelling, creaking, limited range of motion, and joint instability.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, orthopedics, rheumatology, physical therapy, and pain management.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M17.0 Coding
M17

Gonarthrosis

Osteoarthritis of knee

M15-M19

Arthrosis

Joint degeneration excluding spine

M00-M99

Musculoskeletal diseases

Disorders of bone, joints, muscles, etc.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is OA primary or secondary?

  • Primary

    Involvement site?

  • Secondary

    Involvement site?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis
Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis
Post-traumatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Bilateral knee pain & stiffness
  • Radiographic evidence of OA (e.g., joint space narrowing, osteophytes)
  • Limited range of motion in both knees
  • Symptoms impacting daily activities (specify)
  • Exclude other diagnoses (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Coding

    Incorrect coding of laterality (right, left, bilateral) for knee osteoarthritis can lead to inaccurate claims and denials.

  • Specificity of Diagnosis

    Coding osteoarthritis without specifying the affected joints (e.g., knee) or documenting severity can cause claim rejections.

  • Underlying Cause Code

    Failure to code underlying causes like post-traumatic or other specified osteoarthritis can impact reimbursement and quality metrics.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • ICD-10 M17.0: Accurate coding for bilateral knee OA
  • Document pain, stiffness, crepitus for CDI specificity
  • HCC coding: Capture comorbidities for risk adjustment
  • Regular low-impact exercise improves joint function
  • Weight management reduces stress on knee joints

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Bilateral knee pain ICD-10: M17.0 RxNorm: pain relievers
  • 2. Morning stiffness <30 mins ICD-10: M25.561 Snomed CT: 28230009
  • 3. Crepitus on exam ICD-10: 719.62 Loinc: 23990-0
  • 4. Age >50 or risk factors present ICD-10: V15.0 Snomed CT: 39065001
  • 5. Radiographic evidence OA ICD-10: M17.0 Snomed CT: 86786006

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • **Reimbursement and Quality Metrics Impact Summary: Osteoarthritis of Bilateral Knee**
  • **Keywords:** medical billing, ICD-10 M17, CPT 27447, coding accuracy, hospital reporting, reimbursement, quality metrics, osteoarthritis knee, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, value-based care, MACRA, MIPS
  • **Impacts:**
  • Improved coding specificity (M17.0, M17.1) increases reimbursement accuracy.
  • Accurate laterality coding (RT/LT) impacts quality metrics and cost analysis.
  • Comprehensive documentation supports medical necessity for optimal reimbursement.
  • Proper coding avoids denials and improves value-based care performance.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code M17.0 for bilateral knee OA
  • Laterality codes required
  • Document symptom specifics
  • Ruling out other diagnoses key
  • Support medical necessity

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints of bilateral knee pain consistent with osteoarthritis.  Symptoms include chronic knee pain, stiffness, creaking, and limited range of motion in both knees.  Onset of symptoms was gradual over several years, exacerbated by weight-bearing activities and prolonged standing.  Patient reports morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, improving with movement.  Physical examination reveals bony crepitus, mild joint effusion without warmth or erythema, and pain with palpation of the medial joint line bilaterally.  Radiographic imaging of bilateral knees demonstrates osteophyte formation, joint space narrowing, and subchondral sclerosis, confirming the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.  Assessment: Bilateral knee osteoarthritis.  Plan: Conservative management including weight management counseling, regular low-impact exercise such as swimming and cycling, and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen.  Patient education provided regarding osteoarthritis management, including joint protection strategies.  Follow-up scheduled in six weeks to assess symptom response and discuss further treatment options if needed, including physical therapy referral, viscosupplementation, or referral to orthopedics for surgical intervention consideration.  ICD-10 code K25.9 Osteoarthritis, unspecified of knee,  will be utilized for billing.