Osteonecrosis due to drugs, right shoulder

This code signifies the death of bone tissue in the right shoulder joint caused by the use of certain medications. This condition, also known as avascular necrosis, results from an interruption of blood supply to the bone, leading to bone collapse and joint destruction.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states osteonecrosis of the right shoulder and attributes its etiology to drug use (e.g., corticosteroids, bisphosphonates). Supporting documentation should include imaging reports confirming osteonecrosis and a clear link to medication history.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "right shoulder" as the affected site; laterality is crucial.
• Do not use this code for osteonecrosis due to other causes (e.g., trauma, alcoholism); specific codes exist for those etiologies.
• Always code the drug causing the osteonecrosis as an adverse effect (T36-T50 with 5th or 6th character 5) as an additional diagnosis.