Osteonecrosis due to drugs, left hand

This code signifies the death of bone tissue in the left hand, specifically caused by the adverse effects of medication. This condition, also known as avascular necrosis, results from an interruption of blood supply to the bone, leading to bone collapse and potential joint destruction.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates osteonecrosis affecting the left hand, and the etiology is directly attributed to drug therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, bisphosphonates). Supporting documentation should include imaging reports confirming osteonecrosis and physician notes explicitly linking the condition to a specific drug.

• Ensure the laterality (left hand) is clearly documented.
• Always code the specific drug causing the osteonecrosis as an adverse effect (T36-T50 with a 5th or 6th character of 5).
• Distinguish from osteonecrosis due to other causes (e.g., trauma, alcoholism) which have different codes.