Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M21.249

Flexion deformity, unspecified finger joints

ICD-10-CM Code:: M21.249
ICD-10 Code for:: Flexion deformity, unspecified finger joints
Is Billable?: Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: ^[1]: Not chronic
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Code Information
Approximate Synonyms
Clinical Classification
Clinical Information
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Diagnostic Related Groups Mapping
Convert to ICD-9 Code
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Code Classification

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

M21.249 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of flexion deformity, unspecified finger joints. 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 M21.249 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:

Acquired fixed flexion deformity of finger
Acquired fixed flexion deformity of joint of upper limb
Camptodactyly
Camptodactyly of finger
Camptodactyly, arthropathy, coxa-vara, pericarditis syndrome
Camptodactyly-little finger
Cold flexed fingers
Fixed flexion deformity finger
Fixed flexion deformity finger
Fixed flexion deformity of the thumb
Flexion deformity of finger
Flexion deformity of finger, fully flexed position
Flexion deformity of finger, semi-flexed position
Sporadic camptodactyly
Superficial fibromatosis
Thumb joint deformity

Clinical Classification

Clinical Category is Acquired deformities (excluding foot)
CCSR Category Code: MUS023
Inpatient Default CCSR: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Outpatient Default CCSR: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Clinical Information

Superficial Fibromatosis
a poorly circumscribed, intermediate fibrocytic neoplasm arising from the superficial soft tissues. it is characterized by the presence of spindle-shaped fibroblasts, and an infiltrative growth pattern.

M21.249 is grouped with Diagnostic Related Groups - MS-DRG Mapping

Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) are a classification system used to group together diagnosis codes for the purpose of reimbursement and healthcare management. DRGs are used to standardize the way hospitals and other providers are paid for inpatient services. In this system patients are grouped together based on their principal diagnosis in areas referred to as Major Diagnostic Categories (MDC). Once a patient is assigned a particular diagnostic category, providers receive a predetermined payment rate for the services rendered. This reimbursement rate is often fixed and is meant to cover the cost of care for that patient. Reimbursement is also affected by the relative weight of a diagnostic related group based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.

Diagnostic related groups encourage healthcare providers to focus on quality and efficiency in patient care while managing costs effectively. The diagnosis code is present in the following groups for version MS-DRG V41.0 applicable from 10/01/2023 through 09/30/2024.

MS-DRG	MS-DRG Title	MCD	Relative Weight
564	OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITH MCC	08	1.5619
565	OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITH CC	08	0.9994
566	OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC	08	0.7505

The relative weight of a diagnostic related group determines the reimbursement rate based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.

Convert M21.249 to ICD-9-CM

ICD-9-CM Code: 736.89 - Oth acq limb deformity
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

Finger Injuries and Disorders

You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult. Common problems include:

Injuries that result in fractures (broken bones), ruptured ligaments and dislocations
Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis. It can also cause deformity.
Tendinitis - irritation of the tendons
Dupuytren's contracture - a hereditary thickening of the tough tissue that lies just below the skin of your palm. It causes the fingers to stiffen and bend.
Trigger finger - an irritation of the sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons. It can cause the tendon to catch and release like a trigger.

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Other ICD-10-CM Codes Commonly Used for Similar Conditions

Filter related codes list:

M21 Other acquired deformities of limbs.
M21.0 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified.
M21.00 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified site.
M21.02 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, elbow.
M21.021 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right elbow.
M21.022 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left elbow.
M21.029 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified elbow.
M21.05 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, hip.
M21.051 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right hip.
M21.052 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left hip.
M21.059 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified hip.
M21.06 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, knee.
M21.061 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right knee.
M21.062 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left knee.
M21.069 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified knee.
M21.07 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, ankle.
M21.071 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right ankle.
M21.072 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left ankle.
M21.079 Valgus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified ankle.
M21.1 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified.
M21.10 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified site.
M21.12 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, elbow.
M21.121 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right elbow.
M21.122 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left elbow.
M21.129 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified elbow.
M21.15 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, hip.
M21.151 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right hip.
M21.152 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left hip.
M21.159 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified.
M21.16 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, knee.
M21.161 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right knee.
M21.162 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left knee.
M21.169 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified knee.
M21.17 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, ankle.
M21.171 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, right ankle.
M21.172 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, left ankle.
M21.179 Varus deformity, not elsewhere classified, unspecified ankle.
M21.2 Flexion deformity.
M21.20 Flexion deformity, unspecified site.
M21.21 Flexion deformity, shoulder.
M21.211 Flexion deformity, right shoulder.
M21.212 Flexion deformity, left shoulder.
M21.219 Flexion deformity, unspecified shoulder.
M21.22 Flexion deformity, elbow.
M21.221 Flexion deformity, right elbow.
M21.222 Flexion deformity, left elbow.
M21.229 Flexion deformity, unspecified elbow.
M21.23 Flexion deformity, wrist.
M21.231 Flexion deformity, right wrist.
M21.232 Flexion deformity, left wrist.
M21.239 Flexion deformity, unspecified wrist.

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.

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.