Osteoarthritis definition versus primary osteoarthritis definition versus secondary osteoarthritis definition for ICD-10-CM coding
Osteoarthritis, when not classified as either primary or secondary is the most common type of arthritis which occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. Arthritis is an inflammation of joint due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes. Osteoarthritis can occur at a higher age and can be more frequent in women. A genetic susceptibility can in addition contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, tenderness, stiffness, loss of flexibility, and grating sensation of a joint. As a sequelae of osteoarthritis, bone spurs may form around the affected joint. Generalized osteoarthritis affecting more than one joint is medically coded as M15.9. Osteoarthritis of the left wrist joint that developed in a 70 year old female patient is medically coded as M19.032.
Primary osteoarthritis is when there is wear-and-tear damage of a specific joint from repetitive use. Primary osteoarthritis can occur as a result of certain occupations. Primary osteoarthritis of the right ankle for a patient that often over-walks for exercise health is medically coded in ICD-10-CM as M19.071 and primary osteoarthritis of the left shoulder for a baseball player is medically coded as M19.012, for example. Secondary osteoarthritis is osteoarthritis secondary to another disease or condition including obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures, abnormal joints at birth, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and other hormone disorders. Secondary osteoarthritis from repeated trauma to the right elbow joint is medically coded as M19.221, S59.901D.
Sincerely,

Vino C. Mody Jr., M.D., Lic., Ph.D., COC, CPC, CCS-P, CANPC, CCVTC, 4Med CICP, CNPR, CRMC