Pathological dislocation of other specified joint, NEC

This code signifies a dislocation of a joint that occurs due to an underlying disease process, rather than from trauma. It indicates that the specific joint involved is not one of the commonly coded joints for pathological dislocation (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee) and is not classified elsewhere. This condition typically results from weakened joint structures or surrounding tissues.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a pathological dislocation of a joint such as the elbow, wrist, ankle, or a small joint of the hand or foot, and the dislocation is not attributed to an injury. The medical record should specify the joint involved and confirm the non-traumatic etiology, often linking it to a systemic disease, infection, or degenerative condition.

• Always code the underlying disease causing the pathological dislocation first, followed by this code.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly rules out a traumatic cause for the dislocation.
• Avoid using this code for recurrent dislocations or congenital dislocations, which have their own specific codes.