Arthrodesis status

This code indicates a patient's historical or current state of having undergone an arthrodesis procedure, commonly known as joint fusion. It signifies that a joint has been surgically immobilized to relieve pain or stabilize the joint, and this condition is now present.

Use this code when documenting a patient's history of a joint fusion, regardless of the specific joint involved or the reason for the original surgery. It is appropriate for follow-up care, management of complications related to the fusion, or when the fusion impacts current treatment decisions.

• This is a status code, indicating a historical procedure that is still relevant to the patient's current health status.
• Always sequence this code after the primary diagnosis for the current encounter, unless it is the reason for the encounter.
• Do not use this code for an active arthrodesis procedure; use procedure codes for that.