Arthritis of left temporomandibular joint

This code signifies inflammation of the left temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a condition characterized by pain, tenderness, and restricted movement in the jaw joint on the patient's left side. It encompasses various forms of arthritis affecting this specific joint, leading to discomfort during chewing, speaking, and yawning.

Apply this code when the provider's documentation explicitly states a diagnosis of arthritis affecting the left temporomandibular joint. This includes diagnoses such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other inflammatory arthropathies localized to the left TMJ. Supporting documentation should detail the laterality and the arthritic nature of the TMJ disorder.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "arthritis" and not just general TMJ pain or dysfunction, which would require different codes.
• Verify laterality; this code is specific to the left TMJ. If bilateral, a different code or codes would be appropriate.
• Consider any underlying systemic conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) that may be the primary cause and require additional coding.