Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD-10-CM Codes

Read this short guide to learn about Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD codes you can use.

By RJ Gumban on Jun 16, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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Table of content

What Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD codes can I use?Are these Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD codes billable?Clinical information about Total Knee Arthroplasty Synonyms include FAQS

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What Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD codes can I use?

If you’re having trouble looking for Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD codes, there aren’t any ICD-10 codes that specifically mention Total Knee Arthroplasty in their names. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any ICD-10 codes for it, though! They just go by different terms.

The ICD-10 codes you’re looking for are the following:

Z96.659 - Presence of unspecified artificial knee joint

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have an artificial knee joint due to total knee arthroplasty, but it’s not specified which side has it. Once the specific side has been identified, please use a more specific code. Items 2 to 4 are the best choices once the specific knee joint has been identified.

Z96.651 - Presence of right artificial knee joint

If you’ve confirmed that the right knee is the one that underwent total knee arthroplasty, this is the best choice.

Z96.652 - Presence of left artificial knee joint

If you’ve confirmed that the left knee is the one that underwent total knee arthroplasty, this is the best choice.

Z96.653 - Presence of artificial knee joint, bilateral

Use this if you’ve confirmed that both knees underwent total knee arthroplasty.

Do note that all four of these ICD-10 codes are not acceptable as principal diagnoses because they don’t represent problems to be diagnosed. They are for indicating that a patient underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty, hence the presence of an artificial knee joint.

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Are these Total Knee Arthroplasty ICD codes billable?

Yes. All four Total Knee Arthroplasty-related ICD-10 codes listed above are valid and billable.

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Clinical information about Total Knee Arthroplasty:

Total Knee Arthroplasty, more commonly referred to as knee replacement, is a type of surgical procedure healthcare professionals often recommend to patients negatively impacted by knee-related problems such as arthritis (the most common reason this type of procedure is recommended).

People with arthritis will likely experience difficulty trying to walk or run, standing, and going up and down stairs. This difficulty may also impact their capability to perform activities of daily living.

During Total Knee Arthroplasty, the surgeon and their team will work to replace partially damaged parts of the knee with artificial material. They might also insert implants to support the ligaments in holding the knee joint.

If the whole joint is damaged and needs to be replaced, the surgeon will resurface the knee joint and reshape the ends of the patient’s shinbone and thighbone.

Synonyms include:

History of arthroplasty of left knee
History of arthroplasty of right knee
History of bilateral knee arthroplasty
History of bilateral total knee replacement
History of left total knee replacement
History of right total knee replacement
History of total knee arthroplasty
Knee joint prosthesis present
History of prosthetic unicompartmental arthroplasty of left knee
History of prosthetic unicompartmental arthroplasty of right knee

Commonly asked questions

Are there any risks patients need to know before undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Yes. Total Knee Arthroplasty has its share of risks, like any other type of surgery. Such risks include infections, the emergence of blood clots, and nerve damage in the knees when implants are inserted.

Is surgery the best way to deal with knee joint problems?

No. It’s the last resort. Healthcare professionals will start with more conservative ways to treat and manage it, like administering steroid/hyaluronic injections, providing anti-inflammatory medicine, and recommending physical therapy to rehabilitate the knee. Even taking acupuncture or visiting a chiropractor might be recommended.

What materials are used for knee implants?

Knee implants placed during Total Knee Arthroplasty are made of metal and polyethylene. The latter is a plastic material often used in making plastic bags and bottles but also for medical purposes.