Bucket-hndl tear of medial mensc, crnt injury, l knee, init

This diagnosis code indicates a specific type of meniscal tear in the left knee, where a portion of the medial meniscus is displaced and resembles a bucket handle. This injury is acute, meaning it occurred recently, and is often associated with significant knee pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms like locking or catching.

This code is appropriate for the initial encounter with a patient presenting with a newly diagnosed bucket-handle tear of the medial meniscus in their left knee. This includes situations where the diagnosis is made clinically, through imaging (e.g., MRI), or during an initial surgical evaluation.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "bucket-handle" morphology and "medial" meniscus involvement.
• Verify the laterality is "left knee" and the encounter is the "initial" for this specific injury.
• Do not use for chronic tears or for subsequent encounters for the same injury.