Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Exact Location a Necessity for Cystic Meniscus Dx

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the physician treated a patient with “cystic meniscus, R knee.” How do I choose an ICD-10 code for this condition?

AAPC Forum Subscriber

Answer: While you’ve got two-thirds of the diagnosis already in the notes, finding that last third is going to require you to dig back into the notes to see the exact anatomy of the meniscus. Then, choose one of the following ICD-10 codes for this patient:

  • M23.000 (Cystic meniscus, unspecified lateral meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.006 (Cystic meniscus, unspecified meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.011 (Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of medial meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.021 (Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of medial meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.031 (Cystic meniscus, other medial meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.041 (Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of lateral meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.051 (Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of lateral meniscus, right knee)
  • M23.061 (Cystic meniscus, other lateral meniscus, right knee).