M87.129
BillableOsteonecrosis due to drugs, unspecified humerus
HCC Category Mapping
V24HCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.482ESRDHCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.000RxHCCHCC 80 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.000What This Code Means
Death of bone tissue in the upper arm bone (humerus) caused by medication use, when the side is not specified.
Coding Tips
- •Use only when laterality is not documented
- •Query the provider to determine right or left humerus if possible
Clinical Significance
Drug-induced osteonecrosis of the humerus represents a serious complication that can lead to joint collapse and significant functional impairment. This condition requires ongoing monitoring and may necessitate surgical intervention, making it a high-impact diagnosis for risk stratification and care management.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Specific medication or drug class causing the osteonecrosis
- ✓Radiologic evidence of bone necrosis (X-ray, MRI, or CT)
- ✓Clinical symptoms such as pain, limited range of motion
- ✓Duration of drug exposure and dosage when possible
- ✓Any functional limitations or disability resulting from the condition
- ✓Stage or severity of osteonecrosis if documented
- ✓Treatment plan including medications, physical therapy, or surgical interventions
- ✓Provider assessment linking the osteonecrosis directly to drug use
Commonly Confused Codes
M87.021 — Idiopathic osteonecrosis requires no identifiable cause, whereas M87.129 specifically requires drug causationM87.229 — Post-traumatic osteonecrosis requires previous injury documentation, not drug exposureM87.9 — Unspecified osteonecrosis lacks the specific drug etiology required for M87.129M89.7 — Major osseous defect is a structural bone problem, not necrotic tissue death
Code Hierarchy
└M87Osteonecrosis└M87.1Osteonecrosis due to drugs└M87.12Osteonecrosis due to drugs, humerus└M87.129Osteonecrosis due to drugs, unspecified humerus
└M87.129Osteonecrosis due to drugs, unspecified humerus