ICD-10 Guide

Avascular Necrosis

ICD-10 Coding for Avascular Necrosis(M87.0, M87.1)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYOrthopedics

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Avascular Necrosis?

Essential facts and insights about Avascular Necrosis

Key Clinical Considerations:

Pain in the affected joint, often worsening with activity
Imaging studies showing bone marrow edema or subchondral fractures
Limited range of motion and joint stiffness

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history including risk factors (e.g., corticosteroid use, alcohol abuse)
Imaging results (MRI, X-ray) indicating avascular necrosis
Detailed physical examination notes on joint function and pain levels

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Follow guidelines for specificity in coding the affected bone.
Common errors include using general codes instead of site-specific codes.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases.
Alternative codes for traumatic avascular necrosis.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Orthopedics

Specialty Applications

Patients with risk factors such as trauma, corticosteroid use, or systemic diseases.
Orthopedic clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Include patient history, imaging results, and physical exam findings.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the specific site of avascular necrosis.

Avascular Necrosis

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Avascular Necrosis

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?