Osteoarthritis Documentation Guide
Degenerative joint disease causing pain and stiffness.
ICD-10 Codes: M17.0, M17.11, M17.12, M16.0, M16.11, M16.12
Common Symptoms
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
- Crepitus
Key Documentation Elements
- Affected joint(s) with laterality
- Primary vs secondary OA
- Functional assessment
- Imaging findings if available
- Current treatment
Documentation Challenges
- Specifying affected joints
- Documenting laterality
- Recording severity and functional impact
- Capturing treatment response
Billing Considerations
- Joint-specific coding with laterality
- Primary vs secondary distinction
- Severity documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
How is osteoarthritis coded by location?
OA coding is joint-specific: knee (M17.x), hip (M16.x), etc. with laterality specifiers. Scribeable selects the correct code based on your documented examination.