M90.532
BillableOsteonecrosis in diseases classified elsewhere, left forearm
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
0.000RxHCCHCC 80 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis
0.000What This Code Means
Death of bone tissue in the left forearm caused by another disease or condition affecting the body.
Coding Tips
- •Document which forearm bone is affected (radius, ulna, or both) for clinical clarity
- •Requires an underlying condition code to explain the etiology of the osteonecrosis
Clinical Significance
This diagnosis represents secondary osteonecrosis affecting the left forearm, indicating bone death caused by an underlying disease process requiring active management. The condition significantly impacts risk adjustment modeling as it reflects complex medical comorbidities and potential functional limitations requiring ongoing specialized care.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Clear identification of the specific underlying disease causing the osteonecrosis
- ✓Documentation of left forearm as the affected anatomical location
- ✓Evidence of bone necrosis through imaging studies (MRI, CT, or bone scan)
- ✓Clinical correlation between the primary disease and secondary osteonecrosis
- ✓Current treatment plan or management approach
- ✓Assessment of functional impact on the patient
- ✓Provider statement linking osteonecrosis to the classified disease
- ✓Documentation ruling out primary osteonecrosis or trauma-related causes
Commonly Confused Codes
M87.032 — Primary osteonecrosis of left forearm, not secondary to another diseaseM90.539 — Same condition but unspecified forearm location rather than specifically leftM86.132 — Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus of left forearm, which is infection rather than necrosisS52.92XA — Fracture of left forearm, which is acute trauma rather than disease-related bone deathM25.532 — Pain in left forearm, which is symptom-based rather than structural bone pathology
Code Hierarchy
└M90Osteopathies in diseases classified elsewhere└M90.5Osteonecrosis in diseases classified elsewhere└M90.53Osteonecrosis in diseases classified elsewhere, forearm└M90.532Osteonecrosis in diseases classified elsewhere, left forearm
└M90.532Osteonecrosis in diseases classified elsewhere, left forearm