Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left elbow

This code signifies a degenerative joint disease of the left elbow that has developed as a direct consequence of a prior injury to that joint. It represents chronic, progressive damage to the articular cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the affected elbow.

Apply this code when documentation clearly links the development of osteoarthritis in the left elbow to a specific past trauma, such as a fracture, dislocation, or severe sprain. This diagnosis is appropriate for patients presenting with chronic elbow pain and radiographic evidence of degenerative changes following a documented injury to the joint.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "post-traumatic" or clearly links the osteoarthritis to a previous injury.
• Do not confuse with primary osteoarthritis (M19.022) or other specified secondary osteoarthritis (M19.222) if the traumatic origin is not documented.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter; otherwise, it may be a secondary diagnosis explaining chronic conditions.