Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left hand

This code signifies degenerative joint disease in the left hand that develops as a direct consequence of a prior injury to the joint. It represents a form of secondary osteoarthritis where the initial trauma, rather than primary age-related wear and tear, is the underlying cause of the cartilage breakdown and joint pain.

Use this code when documentation clearly links osteoarthritis of the left hand to a specific past traumatic event, such as a fracture, dislocation, or severe sprain. The patient's history should include a documented injury to the left hand followed by the development of osteoarthritic changes in that same joint.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly states "post-traumatic" or clearly establishes a causal link between a prior injury and the current osteoarthritis.
• Do not use this code for primary osteoarthritis of the left hand; use the appropriate M19.04x code instead.
• If the specific joint within the left hand is known (e.g., carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal), consider if a more specific code within the M19.14 subcategory is available and supported by documentation.