Other bursitis of knee, unspecified knee

This code signifies inflammation of a bursa in the knee joint, excluding specific types like prepatellar or infrapatellar bursitis, when the laterality (left or right knee) is not documented. It indicates a general bursitis affecting the knee without further anatomical specification.

Use this code when the physician's documentation confirms bursitis of the knee but does not specify the exact bursa involved (e.g., "knee bursitis") and does not indicate whether it's the right or left knee. This code is appropriate when laterality cannot be determined from the medical record.

• Avoid using this code if laterality is documented; instead, choose a more specific code (M70.51 or M70.52).
• Query the provider for clarification on laterality and specific bursa if possible to allow for more precise coding.
• Do not confuse with M70.40 (Prepatellar bursitis, unspecified knee) or M70.50 (Other bursitis of knee, unspecified knee) which are more specific to the bursa involved.