ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesOsteoarthritis Bilateral Knee

Osteoarthritis Bilateral Knee

ICD-10 Coding for Osteoarthritis of the Bilateral Knees(M17.0, M17.2)

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

Diagnosis Overview

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

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Joint pain and stiffness, especially after inactivity
  • X-ray findings 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 knee 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 denials.
  • Common errors include misclassifying the severity or laterality of the condition.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis
  • Alternative codes for unilateral knee osteoarthritis

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
M17.0
Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the knee
Ancillary Codes
E66.01
Differential Codes
M17.2
M17.0

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Orthopedics

Specialty Applications

  • Adults, particularly those over 50 years old
  • Orthopedic clinics, outpatient settings, and rehabilitation facilities

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

What are the documentation requirements?

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

What are the billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect bilateral involvement and any associated conditions.