Osteonecrosis in diseases classified elsewhere, other site

This code signifies the death of bone tissue due to a loss of blood supply, occurring as a manifestation or complication of another underlying disease process. It specifically applies when the osteonecrosis affects an anatomical site other than those specified by more granular codes (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee, ankle/foot, wrist/hand).

Assign this code when documentation clearly links osteonecrosis to a systemic disease (e.g., lupus, sickle cell anemia, Gaucher disease, chronic corticosteroid use) and the affected bone is not otherwise specified. The medical record should explicitly state the underlying condition and the presence of osteonecrosis in a non-specific location.

• Always sequence the underlying systemic disease code first, as this code represents a manifestation.
• Avoid using this code if a more specific site code for osteonecrosis (e.g., M90.55- for hip) is available and documented.
• Ensure the documentation clearly establishes the causal link between the systemic disease and the osteonecrosis.