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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesBilateral Osteoarthritis Of The Knees

Bilateral Osteoarthritis Of The Knees

ICD-10 Coding for Bilateral Osteoarthritis of the Knees(M17.0)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYOrthopedics
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Bilateral Osteoarthritis Of The Knees?
Essential facts and insights about Bilateral Osteoarthritis of the Knees

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Joint pain and stiffness in both knees, especially after activity or prolonged sitting
  • X-rays showing joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and subchondral sclerosis
  • Swelling, tenderness, and decreased range of motion during physical examination

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient history including onset, duration, and severity of symptoms
  • Use of specific terms like 'bilateral' and 'osteoarthritis' in documentation
  • Examples include detailed descriptions of physical exam findings and imaging results

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Follow guidelines for bilateral coding to avoid undercoding or overcoding.
  • Common errors include misidentifying the type of osteoarthritis or failing to document bilateral involvement.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis.
  • Alternative codes may include M17.1 for unilateral osteoarthritis.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
M17.0
Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the knee
Ancillary Codes
M25.561
M25.562
Differential Codes
M17.3

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Orthopedics

Specialty Applications

  • Older adults, individuals with a history of joint injuries, and those with obesity.
  • Clinical settings include orthopedic clinics, rheumatology practices, 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 detailed patient history, physical exam findings, and imaging results.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect bilateral involvement and severity for proper reimbursement.