Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee

This code signifies osteoarthritis affecting both knees that is a consequence of another underlying condition, such as trauma, inflammatory arthritis, or metabolic disorders. It indicates degenerative joint disease in both knees that is not primary (idiopathic) in nature.

Apply this code when documentation specifies bilateral knee osteoarthritis secondary to an identifiable cause. Common scenarios include post-traumatic arthritis in both knees, or osteoarthritis developing in both knees due to a systemic condition like rheumatoid arthritis (after the acute phase). The medical record must clearly state the secondary nature and bilateral involvement.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "secondary" and "bilateral" for both knees.
• Always code the underlying cause of the secondary osteoarthritis first, if applicable, following sequencing guidelines.
• Distinguish carefully from primary osteoarthritis (M17.0-M17.3) and unilateral secondary osteoarthritis (M17.5-M17.7).