Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left wrist

This code signifies degenerative joint disease of the left wrist that develops as a sequela of a prior injury to the joint. It indicates chronic joint pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the left wrist directly attributable to a past traumatic event, such as a fracture or dislocation.

Apply this code when documentation clearly links osteoarthritis of the left wrist to a specific, previously sustained trauma. This diagnosis is appropriate for patients presenting with chronic left wrist pain and imaging findings consistent with osteoarthritis, where the etiology is explicitly stated as post-traumatic.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly states "post-traumatic" or "secondary to trauma" for the osteoarthritis of the left wrist.
• Do not confuse with primary osteoarthritis (M19.032) or other specified secondary osteoarthritis (M19.232) if the traumatic origin is not documented.
• Sequence this code after any acute injury codes if the patient is still being treated for the initial trauma that led to the osteoarthritis.