Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Our provider had her first office visit with a patient who has a recurrent patella injury, but I'm not sure if it's a recurrent dislocation or subluxation. What's the difference, and how do I report each of these diagnoses?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Recurrent dislocation of the patella is self-explanatory; if the patient reports to the practice for treatment of a recurrent, complete patella dislocation, you'll choose from one of the following codes, depending on encounter specifics:

• M22.00 - Recurrent dislocation of patella, unspecified knee
• M22.01 - Recurrent dislocation of patella, right knee
• M22.02 - Recurrent dislocation of patella, left knee.

Subluxation, however, is a little more nuanced. In short, subluxation is another term for incomplete dislocation. If the patient reports to the practice for treatment of an incomplete patella dislocation, you'll choose from one of the following codes, depending on encounter specifics:

• M22.10 - Recurrent subluxation of patella, unspecified knee
• M22.01 - Recurrent subluxation of patella, right knee
• M22.02 - Recurrent subluxation of patella, left knee.

Best bet: Unsure about whether the patella dislocation is total or partial? Ask the performing provider which ICD-10 code best fits the patient's condition.