2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M21.619

Bunion of unspecified foot

ICD-10-CM Code:
M21.619
ICD-10 Code for:
Bunion of unspecified foot
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Other joint disorders
      (M20-M25)
      • Other acquired deformities of limbs
        (M21)

M21.619 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of bunion of unspecified foot. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like M21.619 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Bunion

Clinical Classification

Clinical Information

  • Bunion

    abnormal swelling of the inner aspect of the first metatarsal head affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
  • Bunion, Tailor's

    abnormal swelling of the outer aspect of the fifth metatarsal head affecting the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint.
  • Metatarsophalangeal Joint

    the articulation between a metatarsal bone (metatarsal bones) and a phalanx.

Replacement Code

M21619 replaces the following previously assigned ICD-10-CM code(s):

  • M20.10 - Hallux valgus (acquired), unspecified foot

Convert M21.619 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 727.1 - Bunion
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Toe Injuries and Disorders

Fourteen of the 26 bones in your feet are in your toes. The toes, particularly your big toe, help you move and keep your balance. Playing sports, running, stubbing your toe, and dropping something on your foot can damage your toes. Wearing shoes that are too loose or too tight can also cause toe problems. Certain diseases, such as severe arthritis, can cause toe problems and pain. Gout often causes pain in the big toe.

Common toe problems include :

  • Corns and bunions
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains and dislocations
  • Fractures (broken bones)

Treatments for toe injuries and disorders vary. They might include shoe inserts or special shoes, padding, taping, medicines, rest, and in severe cases, surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Bunion

A bunion, known technically as hallux valgus, is a bony bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. Bunions develop slowly as pressure on the joint at the base of the big toe causes the toe to move out of place, leaning inward toward the second toe. Because this joint carries a lot of weight during activities like standing and walking, bunions can cause foot pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling. Calluses may form where the big toe and second toe rub together or on the ball of the foot. Unless they are treated, bunions get worse over time, and it may become difficult to wear regular shoes or walk without pain. Bunions can occur in one or both feet.

In most cases, bunions develop in adulthood. Rarely, children may be born with bunions (known as congenital hallux valgus) or develop them later in childhood (juvenile or adolescent hallux valgus).


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.