Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right shoulder

This code signifies degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder that develops as a direct consequence of a previous injury or trauma to the joint. It represents a secondary form of osteoarthritis where the initial damage to the articular cartilage or subchondral bone leads to progressive joint deterioration.

Apply this code when documentation clearly links the patient's right shoulder osteoarthritis to a specific prior traumatic event, such as a fracture, dislocation, or severe sprain. The medical record should explicitly state "post-traumatic osteoarthritis" or provide a history of trauma followed by the development of osteoarthritis in the right shoulder.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "post-traumatic" and not just general osteoarthritis.
• Verify laterality; this code is specific to the right shoulder.
• Consider sequencing any acute injury codes (e.g., fracture) that led to the post-traumatic condition, if still relevant to the current encounter.