Degenerative Joint Disease ICD-10-CM Codes

Explore the ICD-10 codes for degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. Learn more about the diagnoses and the codes’ billability, synonyms, and FAQs.

By Olivia Sayson on Jun 16, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

Use Code
Degenerative Joint Disease ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Degenerative Joint Disease? 

Here’s a list of the ICD Codes used for degenerative joint disease organized according to the location of the condition:

Polyosteoarthritis 

Polyosteoarthritis is a condition that affects multiple joints in the body instead of just one or two. 

  • M15.0: Primary generalized (osteo)arthritis
  • M15.1. Heberden's nodes (with arthropathy)
  • M15.2: Bouchard's nodes (with arthropathy)
  • M15.3: Secondary multiple arthritis
  • M15.4: Erosive (osteo)arthritis
  • M15.8: Other polyosteoarthritis
  • M15.9: Polyosteoarthritis, unspecified

Osteoarthritis of hip

  • M16.0: Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip 
  • *M16.1: Unilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip
  • M16.2: Bilateral osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia
  • *M16.3: Unilateral osteoarthritis resulting from hip dysplasia
  • M16.4: Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of hip
  • *M16.5: Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of hip
  • M16.6: Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of hip
  • M16.7: Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of hip
  • M16.9: Osteoarthritis of hip, unspecified

Note: ICD-10 codes with asterisks (*) have more specific codes under them, specifying the affected side. 

Osteoarthritis of knee

  • M17.0: Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
  • *M17.1: Unilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
  • M17.2: Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
  • *M17.3: Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
  • M17.4: Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
  • M17.5: Other unilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
  • M17.9: Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified

Note: ICD-10 codes with asterisks (*) have more specific codes under them, specifying the affected side.

Osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint

  • M18.0: Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joints
  • *M18.1: Unilateral primary osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint
  • M18.2: Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joints
  • *M18.3: Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint
  • M18.4: Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joints
  • *M18.5: Other unilateral secondary osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint
  • M18.9: Osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint, unspecified

Note: ICD-10 codes with asterisks (*) have more specific codes under them, specifying the affected side.

Other and unspecified osteoarthritis

Specific codes under M19 are a list of primary osteoarthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, secondary osteoarthritis of other joints, and osteoarthritis of other joints located in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, ankle, and foot that can be used to if the diagnosis doesn’t fall under any of the codes mentioned above. 

Which Degenerative Joint Disease ICD codes are Billable: 

All the codes wherein the type of osteoarthritis and location are specified are billable. 

Clinical Information

  • Degenerative Joint Disease, also known as osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, and wear-and-tear arthritis, is a common chronic joint condition wherein, because of cartilage breakdown, the bones within a joint rub together, causing pain and more in a patient. Common areas osteoarthritis can affect in a patient are knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, fingers, and hands. 
  • Some common symptoms of degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis are pain/stiffness in the affected joint, reduced range of motion, inflammation, crackling/popping/clicking sounds when one moves their joints, bone spurs, and tenderness on the affected joint. 
  • The leading cause of osteoarthritis is joint damage. However, other causes may be malformation, poor posture, weight, and past injuries. Those who are more likely to develop osteoarthritis are those with a family history of the condition, those who are older than 50 years old, those who are overweight, those who have medical conditions that may affect their joints, those who constantly kneel/climb/or lift heavy, and those who have osteoarthritis in one joint. 
  • To diagnose osteoarthritis, a patient will be asked to undergo imaging tests such as X-rays and MRIs. Aside from those, a sample of the patient’s blood and synovial/joint fluid may be obtained for further analysis. 
  • Common treatments include medications for pain relief and therapy. In addition, a patient will be asked to exercise, get enough sleep, and manage their weight. 

Synonyms Include:

  • Idiopathic osteoarthritis
  • Osteoarthritis of both hips
  • Bilateral arthritis of knees
  • Primary osteoarthritis of bilateral first wrist joints
  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis of bilateral shoulders
Medical Bllling and Coding Software

Commonly asked questions

When to use a Degenerative Joint Disease ICD code?

You can use a degenerative joint disease ICD code once the tests have confirmed the type of osteoarthritis and the affected area/s.

Are Degenerative Joint Disease diagnoses billable?

Yes, all the degenerative joint disease codes wherein the type and the location are specific are billable. 

What are the common treatments for Degenerative Joint Disease?

Common treatments for degenerative joint disease are medication and therapy combined with weight management, adequate sleep, and an active lifestyle.

Join 10,000+ teams using Carepatron to be more productive

One app for all your healthcare work