Presence of artificial knee joint, bilateral

This code indicates that a patient has undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or partial knee arthroplasty (PKA) in both knees. It signifies the permanent presence of prosthetic knee implants in both lower extremities. This is a status code, not indicating an acute condition or complication.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a patient has bilateral artificial knee joints, regardless of the reason for the original surgery. This code is appropriate for follow-up visits, medication management, or any encounter where the presence of these implants is relevant to the patient's overall health status. It should be used as a secondary diagnosis to provide a complete picture of the patient's medical history.

• Always confirm documentation explicitly states "bilateral" or "both knees" for artificial joints.
• Do not use this code if the patient has only one artificial knee joint; a different code exists for unilateral presence.
• This code is for the presence of the device, not for complications or problems related to the artificial joint.