Wiki Tear Medial Meniscus

[Robbin109]

MD dx the pt with "Tear of he medial meniscus of right knee" Pt was having pain, had a MRI and a tear of the medial meniscus of knee was noted. "degenerative frayed tear of the entire posterior horn of the medial meniscus"

The doctor codes this as 836.0, but the ortho coder codes as 717.2.

Which one is right and why?

Thanks!!

 

[scooter1]

I use the 836.0 when the knee was injured. IF there is no injury, I tend to use the 717 codes

 

[graceroni13]

I've always heard that if the word fraying is used, it's most likely chronic.. or obviously degenerative