Other osteonecrosis, unspecified foot

This code signifies the death of bone tissue in an unspecified foot due to a loss of blood supply, not otherwise specified. It encompasses various forms of osteonecrosis affecting any part of the foot when a more specific etiology or location within the foot cannot be determined.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates osteonecrosis of the foot, but the specific type (e.g., post-traumatic, steroid-induced) or precise anatomical location within the foot (e.g., talus, navicular) is not specified. This code is appropriate when the physician's diagnosis is "osteonecrosis of the foot, NOS" or "avascular necrosis of the foot, unspecified."

• Ensure the medical record specifies "foot" and not a more precise anatomical site within the foot (e.g., M87.871 for right ankle/foot, M87.872 for left ankle/foot).
• Avoid using this code if the underlying cause of osteonecrosis is known and has a more specific ICD-10-CM code (e.g., M87.1- for drug-induced osteonecrosis).
• Always review documentation for laterality (right, left, bilateral) to determine if a more specific code from the M87.87- subcategory can be used.