2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.669Stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25

ICD-10-CM M25.669
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M25.669 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 555 through 556. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M25.669
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M25.66
Stiffness of knee, not elsewhere classified

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM25Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM25.669Stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Active range of knee extension - finding
  • Active range of knee flexion - finding
  • Decreased active range of knee extension
  • Decreased active range of knee flexion
  • Decreased passive range of knee extension
  • Decreased passive range of knee external rotation
  • Decreased passive range of knee flexion
  • Decreased passive range of knee internal rotation
  • Decreased range of knee movement
  • Knee stiff
  • No active range of knee extension
  • No active range of knee flexion
  • No knee movement
  • No passive range of knee extension
  • No passive range of knee external rotation
  • No passive range of knee flexion
  • No passive range of knee internal rotation
  • Passive range of knee extension - finding
  • Passive range of knee external rotation - finding
  • Passive range of knee flexion - finding
  • Passive range of knee internal rotation - finding
  • Range of knee external rotation - finding
  • Range of knee internal rotation - finding

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M25.669: its own notes plus those printed at M25.6, M25, block M00-M25, block M20-M25, and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block M00-M25 applies to 2,249 codes
  • Disorders affecting predominantly peripheral (limb) joints

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From M25.6 Stiffness of joint, not elsewhere classified applies to 26 codes

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From M25 Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified applies to 225 codes
  • abnormality of gait and mobility (R26.-)
  • acquired deformities of limb (M20-M21)
  • calcification of bursa (M71.4-)
  • calcification of shoulder (joint) (M75.3)
  • calcification of tendon (M65.2-)
  • difficulty in walking (R26.2)
  • temporomandibular joint disorder (M26.6-)
From Block M20-M25 Other joint disorders applies to 719 codes
From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name M25.669, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M25.669: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M24.6 Ankylosis of joint
    stiffness of joint without ankylosis (M25.6-) names M25.6-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MUS010
Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert M25.669 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
719.56 Jt stiffness NEC-l/leg
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M25.669Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified?

The ICD-10-CM code for stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified is M25.669 (sometimes written as M25669). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is M25.669 (Stiffness of knee, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does M25.669 group to?

When stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 555, 556, with relative weights from 0.8210 to 1.2908 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can M25.669 be reported with a code from M24.6?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at M25.6, which applies to M25.669, lists "ankylosis of joint (M24.6-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M25.669?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified converts to ICD-9-CM 719.56 (jt stiffness NEC-l/leg). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.