M86.139
BillableOther acute osteomyelitis, unspecified radius and ulna
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 92 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.209V24HCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.482ESRDHCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.000What This Code Means
A sudden bone infection in the forearm bones (radius and ulna) where the side affected is not documented or cannot be determined.
Coding Tips
- •Query the provider to determine laterality when possible, as this unspecified code is less precise
- •Review imaging reports or clinical notes for any indication of which forearm is affected
Clinical Significance
Acute osteomyelitis of unspecified radius and ulna represents incomplete documentation of a complex dual-bone infection. The involvement of both forearm bones indicates significant tissue involvement requiring comprehensive treatment, but lacks laterality specification needed for optimal coding accuracy.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of radius and ulna bone involvement
- ✓Evidence of acute infection without laterality specification
- ✓Imaging showing forearm bone infection involvement
- ✓Clinical presentation consistent with bone infection
- ✓Laboratory markers supporting active infection
- ✓Treatment plan for dual bone involvement
- ✓Provider query for laterality when documentation allows
- ✓Exclusion of hematogenous etiology
Commonly Confused Codes
M86119 — Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of unspecified radius and ulnaM86639 — Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus of unspecified radius and ulnaM86239 — Subacute osteomyelitis of unspecified radius and ulnaM86131/M86132 — Right/left specific codes when laterality is availableS52.90XA — Unspecified fracture of unspecified forearm
Code Hierarchy
└M86Osteomyelitis└M86.1Other acute osteomyelitis└M86.13Other acute osteomyelitis, radius and ulna└M86.139Other acute osteomyelitis, unspecified radius and ulna
└M86.139Other acute osteomyelitis, unspecified radius and ulna