Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, unspecified shoulder

This diagnosis code signifies degenerative joint disease in the shoulder that develops as a direct consequence of a previous injury or trauma to the joint. It indicates that the specific shoulder (right or left) affected by the post-traumatic osteoarthritis is not documented.

Apply this code when documentation clearly links osteoarthritis of the shoulder to a prior traumatic event, but the laterality of the affected shoulder is not specified. This is appropriate for cases where imaging or clinical notes confirm post-traumatic changes without indicating which shoulder.

• Avoid using this code if the laterality (right or left shoulder) is documented; instead, select the more specific code.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states a history of trauma preceding the onset of osteoarthritis.
• Do not confuse with primary osteoarthritis (M19.0xx) or other specified types of osteoarthritis (M19.1xx with laterality).