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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code M12

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M12

Other and unspecified arthropathy

ICD-10-CM Code:
M12
ICD-10 Code for:
Other and unspecified arthropathy
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

M12 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of other and unspecified arthropathy. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 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 M12 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 Other and unspecified arthropathy

Non-specific codes like M12 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for other and unspecified arthropathy:

  • M12.0 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud]

  • Use M12.00 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], unspecified site

  • M12.01 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], shoulder

  • M12.02 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], elbow

  • M12.03 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], wrist

  • M12.04 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], hand

  • M12.05 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], hip

  • M12.06 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], knee

  • M12.07 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], ankle and foot

  • Use M12.08 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], other specified site

  • Use M12.09 for Chronic postrheumatic arthropathy [Jaccoud], multiple sites

  • M12.1 for Kaschin-Beck disease

  • Use M12.10 for Kaschin-Beck disease, unspecified site

  • M12.11 for Kaschin-Beck disease, shoulder

  • M12.12 for Kaschin-Beck disease, elbow

  • M12.13 for Kaschin-Beck disease, wrist

  • M12.14 for Kaschin-Beck disease, hand

  • M12.15 for Kaschin-Beck disease, hip

  • M12.16 for Kaschin-Beck disease, knee

  • M12.17 for Kaschin-Beck disease, ankle and foot

  • Use M12.18 for Kaschin-Beck disease, vertebrae

  • Use M12.19 for Kaschin-Beck disease, multiple sites

  • M12.2 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented)

  • Use M12.20 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), unspecified site

  • M12.21 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), shoulder

  • M12.22 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), elbow

  • M12.23 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), wrist

  • M12.24 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), hand

  • M12.25 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), hip

  • M12.26 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), knee

  • M12.27 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), ankle and foot

  • Use M12.28 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), other specified site

  • Use M12.29 for Villonodular synovitis (pigmented), multiple sites

  • M12.3 for Palindromic rheumatism

  • Use M12.30 for Palindromic rheumatism, unspecified site

  • M12.31 for Palindromic rheumatism, shoulder

  • M12.32 for Palindromic rheumatism, elbow

  • M12.33 for Palindromic rheumatism, wrist

  • M12.34 for Palindromic rheumatism, hand

  • M12.35 for Palindromic rheumatism, hip

  • M12.36 for Palindromic rheumatism, knee

  • M12.37 for Palindromic rheumatism, ankle and foot

  • Use M12.38 for Palindromic rheumatism, other specified site

  • Use M12.39 for Palindromic rheumatism, multiple sites

  • M12.4 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis

  • Use M12.40 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified site

  • M12.41 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, shoulder

  • M12.42 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, elbow

  • M12.43 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, wrist

  • M12.44 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, hand

  • M12.45 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, hip

  • M12.46 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, knee

  • M12.47 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, ankle and foot

  • Use M12.48 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, other site

  • Use M12.49 for Intermittent hydrarthrosis, multiple sites

  • M12.5 for Traumatic arthropathy

  • Use M12.50 for Traumatic arthropathy, unspecified site

  • M12.51 for Traumatic arthropathy, shoulder

  • M12.52 for Traumatic arthropathy, elbow

  • M12.53 for Traumatic arthropathy, wrist

  • M12.54 for Traumatic arthropathy, hand

  • M12.55 for Traumatic arthropathy, hip

  • M12.56 for Traumatic arthropathy, knee

  • M12.57 for Traumatic arthropathy, ankle and foot

  • Use M12.58 for Traumatic arthropathy, other specified site

  • Use M12.59 for Traumatic arthropathy, multiple sites

  • M12.8 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified

  • Use M12.80 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, unspecified site

  • M12.81 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, shoulder

  • M12.82 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, elbow

  • M12.83 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, wrist

  • M12.84 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, hand

  • M12.85 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, hip

  • M12.86 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, knee

  • M12.87 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, ankle and foot

  • Use M12.88 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, other specified site

  • Use M12.89 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, multiple sites

  • Use M12.9 for Arthropathy, unspecified

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    M00–M99
    • Inflammatory polyarthropathies
      M05-M14
      • Other and unspecified arthropathy
        M12

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.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

Patient Education


Arthritis

What is arthritis?

If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Any disorder that affects the joints is often called arthritis. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee.

Most types of arthritis can cause joint pain and inflammation (swelling). Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause problems in your organs, such as your eyes or skin. Treatment will depend on the type of arthritis you have.

What are the types of arthritis?

Common types of arthritis include:

  • Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It's often related to aging or injury.
  • Autoimmune arthritis happens when your body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this type of arthritis.
  • Juvenile arthritis is a type of arthritis that happens in children.
  • Infectious arthritis is an infection that has spread from another part of your body to the joint. Reactive arthritis is one type.
  • Psoriatic arthritis affects people with psoriasis (itchy or sore scaly red and white skin patches).
  • Gout is a painful type of arthritis that happens when too much uric acid builds up in your body. It often starts in the big toe. Other joints can also be affected.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine that can cause stiffness and make it difficult to move and bend.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Pain, redness, warmth, and joint inflammation are common arthritis symptoms. You may not be able to move your joint as well as it should. Other symptoms could include fever, weight loss, breathing difficulties, or a rash.

Symptoms often get worse as you age. Some symptoms of arthritis may be signs of other illnesses.

Who is more likely to get arthritis?

A few things that might increase your chance of getting arthritis include:

  • Family history. You may be more likely to get certain types of arthritis if a member of your family has the disorder.
  • Age. The risk of getting many types of arthritis increases with age.
  • Sex. Certain types of arthritis are more common in women, while other types are more common in men.

Other factors that might increase your risk of getting arthritis include having a previous joint injury, obesity, or lupus.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

To find out if you have arthritis, your health care provider may:

  • Ask you about your medical history, including your symptoms.
  • Do a physical exam.
  • Order blood tests or take x-rays.

Your provider may refer you to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in arthritis care) for tests, diagnosis, and care.

What are the treatments for arthritis?

Treatment depends on the type of arthritis you have. It may include medicine or surgery. Your provider will work with you to improve your symptoms and quality of life.

A few ways to help manage your symptoms include:

  • Hot or cold packs
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Use of splints, braces, and/or assistive devices

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • 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.