Find information on medial meniscus tear diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about ICD-10 codes for medial meniscus tears, meniscus tear symptoms, treatment options, and post-operative care. Explore resources for accurate medical coding and documentation of meniscal injuries, including MRI findings and clinical examination techniques for medial meniscus tears. This comprehensive guide provides information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand medial meniscus tear diagnosis.
Also known as
Tear of medial meniscus
Traumatic tear of the medial cartilage of the knee.
Internal derangements of knee
Includes derangements of meniscus, ligaments, and other knee structures.
Other injuries to the knee
Includes other injuries to the knee and surrounding structures like ligaments.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the tear traumatic?
Yes
Which knee?
No
Which knee?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Medial meniscus tear |
| Lateral meniscus tear |
| Meniscal contusion |
Incorrect coding for laterality (right, left, unspecified) can lead to claim denials and inaccurate reporting. Ensure documentation clarifies the affected side.
Distinguishing between acute and chronic tears impacts code selection. CDI should query physicians for clarity if documentation is ambiguous.
Coding must reflect whether the tear is traumatic or degenerative. Insufficient documentation can lead to coding errors and compliance risks.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with a medial meniscus tear. Symptoms include medial knee pain, clicking or popping sensation, swelling, stiffness, and occasional locking or catching of the knee joint. Onset of symptoms occurred [Date of onset] following [Mechanism of injury, e.g., twisting injury while playing basketball]. Physical examination reveals tenderness along the medial joint line, positive McMurray's test, and decreased range of motion. Differential diagnosis includes medial collateral ligament injury, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and osteoarthritis. MRI of the leftright knee is ordered to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the tear. Preliminary diagnosis is tear of the medial meniscus, leftright knee. Treatment plan will be determined based on MRI findings and may include conservative management with physical therapy, NSAIDs, and activity modification, or surgical intervention such as meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy. Patient education provided regarding the diagnosis, treatment options, and expected outcomes. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [Duration] to review MRI results and discuss the treatment plan. ICD-10 code M23.2XXA is considered pending imaging confirmation.