Sprain of cruciate ligament of knee

This diagnosis code signifies a non-displaced injury to one of the cruciate ligaments within the knee joint, resulting in a sprain. This typically involves stretching or tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fibers, without complete rupture or avulsion. Patients often present with pain, swelling, and instability of the knee following a traumatic event.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a sprain of either the ACL or PCL, without specifying a complete tear or rupture. This is appropriate for injuries diagnosed as grade I or grade II sprains. Supporting documentation should include physician notes detailing the mechanism of injury, physical examination findings (e.g., positive Lachman or posterior drawer test), and imaging reports (MRI) confirming a sprain rather than a complete tear.

• Differentiate carefully between a sprain and a complete tear; a complete tear would be coded differently.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "cruciate ligament" and not other knee ligaments (e.g., collateral ligaments).
• If laterality is documented (e.g., right or left knee), ensure the appropriate fifth digit is appended.