KStaten
Guru
Hello Everyone! ![Giggle :giggle: :giggle:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Coding Conundrum for the Day: Coding "Knee" Pain Following a Total Knee Replacement
Here's the scenario:
A patient returns to the office complaining of right "knee pain" after having had a total right knee replacement. Upon examination, the doctor cannot find anything that would link the pain to the internal implants and notes this lack of evidence in his/her report. The cause of the pain is left to be unknown.
My Overthinking Issues:
1) Since the doctor states that he/she cannot link the pain to the artificial knee implants, the code T84.84XA (Pain due to internal orthopedic prosthetic devices, implants and grafts, initial encounter) does not seem justified.
2) On the other hand, since the "knee," (which is defined as the joint formed by the proximal portion of the tibia, the distal end of the femur, and the patella) has been replaced and is now comprised of artificial components, the code M25.561 (Pain in right knee) does not seem justified, either.
3) Which leads me to the possibility of M79.661 (Pain in right lower leg). This seems more fitting... until someone argues that the knee is either part of the upper leg... or is considered neither the upper nor lower.![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Thoughts? I'd love to hear your input!
Thank You in advance!
Kim
Coding Conundrum for the Day: Coding "Knee" Pain Following a Total Knee Replacement
Here's the scenario:
A patient returns to the office complaining of right "knee pain" after having had a total right knee replacement. Upon examination, the doctor cannot find anything that would link the pain to the internal implants and notes this lack of evidence in his/her report. The cause of the pain is left to be unknown.
My Overthinking Issues:
1) Since the doctor states that he/she cannot link the pain to the artificial knee implants, the code T84.84XA (Pain due to internal orthopedic prosthetic devices, implants and grafts, initial encounter) does not seem justified.
2) On the other hand, since the "knee," (which is defined as the joint formed by the proximal portion of the tibia, the distal end of the femur, and the patella) has been replaced and is now comprised of artificial components, the code M25.561 (Pain in right knee) does not seem justified, either.
3) Which leads me to the possibility of M79.661 (Pain in right lower leg). This seems more fitting... until someone argues that the knee is either part of the upper leg... or is considered neither the upper nor lower.
Thoughts? I'd love to hear your input!
Thank You in advance!
Kim
Last edited by a moderator: