2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M23.20

Derangement of unspecified meniscus due to old tear or injury

ICD-10-CM Code:
M23.20
ICD-10 Code for:
Derangement of unsp meniscus due to old tear or injury
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
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Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Other joint disorders
      (M20-M25)
      • Internal derangement of knee
        (M23)

M23.20 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of derangement of unspecified meniscus due to old tear or injury. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like M23.20 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Derangement of unsp meniscus due to old tear or injury

Non-specific codes like M23.20 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for derangement of unsp meniscus due to old tear or injury:

  • Use M23.200 for Derangement of unspecified lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.201 for Derangement of unspecified lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury, left knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.202 for Derangement of unspecified lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury, unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.203 for Derangement of unspecified medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.204 for Derangement of unspecified medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, left knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.205 for Derangement of unspecified medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.206 for Derangement of unspecified meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.207 for Derangement of unspecified meniscus due to old tear or injury, left knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.209 for Derangement of unspecified meniscus due to old tear or injury, unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Derangement of unspecified lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury
  • Derangement of unspecified medial meniscus due to old tear or injury

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Knee Injuries and Disorders

Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.

Knee problems are very common, and they occur in people of all ages. Knee problems can interfere with many things, from participation in sports to simply getting up from a chair and walking. This can have a big impact on your life.

The most common disease affecting the knee is osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling.

Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.

Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. In some cases your doctor may recommend knee replacement.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[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
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.