What is the ICD-10 code for total left knee arthroplasty?

The ICD-10 code for total left knee arthroplasty is M17.12 for primary osteoarthritis of the left knee, used in conjunction with Z96.652 for the presence of the prosthetic joint.

How do you code a bilateral knee replacement?

For bilateral knee replacement, use code 27447 with modifier -50 to indicate both knees were replaced in the same session.

ICD-10 Coding for Total Left Knee Arthroplasty(M17.12, M17.10, M17.1)

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Comprehensive guide on ICD-10 coding for total left knee arthroplasty, including documentation requirements, common pitfalls, and billing considerations.

Also known as:

Left Total Knee ReplacementLeft Knee TKA

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Total Left Knee Arthroplasty

M00-M99Primary Range

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

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Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

Code	Description	When to Use	Key Documentation
M17.12	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee	Use when documenting primary osteoarthritis as the reason for left knee arthroplasty.	Pain >6 months Failed conservative care Imaging showing bone-on-bone articulation
Z96.652	Presence of left artificial knee joint	Use for follow-up visits post-surgery to document the presence of the prosthetic joint.	Post-operative status Documentation of prosthetic joint placement

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee

M17.12Billable

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions

Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left kneeM17.32

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common issues when documenting Total Left Knee Arthroplasty.

Lack of detailed pain history

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential claim denials due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation

Document specific pain characteristics and duration, Include response to previous treatments

Using 27446 instead of 27447 for total knee replacement

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: May result in non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Affects accuracy of medical records and data reporting.

Mitigation

Verify operative note specifies both medial and lateral compartments replaced.

Modifier Usage

Impact

Incorrect use of modifiers can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation

Regular training on modifier usage and documentation requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements, coding pitfalls and FAQs for conditions coded with M17.12.

Primary Code

M17.12

Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee

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ICD-10 codes7

Coding risks3

FAQs2

ICD-10 Coding for Total Left Knee Arthroplasty(M17.12, M17.10, M17.1)

Documentation & Coding Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for total left knee arthroplasty?

How do you code a bilateral knee replacement?

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