Find information on osteoarthritis of the hand including clinical documentation tips, ICD-10 codes M15, M18, and M19, medical coding guidelines, healthcare provider resources, hand osteoarthritis diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and management. Learn about differential diagnosis, radiographic findings, and best practices for accurate clinical documentation and coding for osteoarthritis in the hand. This resource offers valuable insights for physicians, coders, and other healthcare professionals dealing with hand osteoarthritis.
Also known as
Osteoarthritis
Covers various forms of osteoarthritis including that of the hand.
Arthritides
Encompasses a wider range of joint disorders including osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis of hand
Specifically describes osteoarthritis affecting the joints of the hand.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the osteoarthritis primary?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Hand Osteoarthritis |
Rheumatoid Arthritis |
Psoriatic Arthritis |
Missing or incorrect laterality (right, left, bilateral) for hand osteoarthritis impacts reimbursement and data accuracy. Code using M15.0X1-M15.0X9.
Generalized hand OA vs. specific joint involvement (e.g., first carpometacarpal joint) needs accurate coding (M15.00-M15.04, M18.1) for proper severity reflection.
Distinguishing primary (M15) from secondary OA due to trauma or underlying conditions (e.g., M12) is crucial for accurate etiology coding and care planning.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with hand osteoarthritis (OA), including hand pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Symptoms impact activities of daily living (ADLs) such as gripping, pinching, and fine motor tasks. Onset of symptoms was gradual (insidious onset) over [timeframe], and the patient reports [aggravating factors, e.g., cold weather, repetitive movements] exacerbate pain while [alleviating factors, e.g., rest, heat] provide some relief. Physical examination reveals [specific joint involvement, e.g., distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb], with palpable bony enlargements (Heberden's nodes, Bouchard's nodes) and crepitus on movement. Radiographic imaging of the hand demonstrates characteristic findings of osteoarthritis, including joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis. Diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis of the hand is confirmed based on clinical presentation, physical examination findings, and radiographic evidence. Differential diagnoses considered include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout. Treatment plan includes conservative management with non-pharmacological interventions such as occupational therapy for hand exercises and splinting, as well as pharmacological management with analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen, NSAIDs) for pain relief. Patient education provided on joint protection strategies and activity modification. Follow-up scheduled to monitor symptom progression and treatment efficacy. ICD-10 code M15. Medical billing codes will be applied based on services provided.