Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M94.2

Chondromalacia

ICD-10-CM Code:
M94.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Chondromalacia
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    (M00–M99)
    • Chondropathies
      (M91-M94)
      • Other disorders of cartilage
        (M94)

M94.2 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of chondromalacia. 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Chondromalacia

Non-specific codes like M94.2 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 chondromalacia:

  • Use M94.20 for Chondromalacia, unspecified site - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.21 for Chondromalacia, shoulder - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.211 for Chondromalacia, right shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.212 for Chondromalacia, left shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.219 for Chondromalacia, unspecified shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.22 for Chondromalacia, elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.221 for Chondromalacia, right elbow - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.222 for Chondromalacia, left elbow - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.229 for Chondromalacia, unspecified elbow - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.23 for Chondromalacia, wrist - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.231 for Chondromalacia, right wrist - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.232 for Chondromalacia, left wrist - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.239 for Chondromalacia, unspecified wrist - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.24 for Chondromalacia, joints of hand - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.241 for Chondromalacia, joints of right hand - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.242 for Chondromalacia, joints of left hand - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.249 for Chondromalacia, joints of unspecified hand - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.25 for Chondromalacia, hip - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.251 for Chondromalacia, right hip - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.252 for Chondromalacia, left hip - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.259 for Chondromalacia, unspecified hip - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.26 for Chondromalacia, knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.261 for Chondromalacia, right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.262 for Chondromalacia, left knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.269 for Chondromalacia, unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • M94.27 for Chondromalacia, ankle and joints of foot - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.271 for Chondromalacia, right ankle and joints of right foot - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.272 for Chondromalacia, left ankle and joints of left foot - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.279 for Chondromalacia, unspecified ankle and joints of foot - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.28 for Chondromalacia, other site - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M94.29 for Chondromalacia, multiple sites - 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.


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.
  • chondromalacia patellae M22.4

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


Cartilage Disorders

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint. It also gives shape and support to other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose and windpipe. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing your bones to glide over each other. It also protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.

Injured, inflamed, or damaged cartilage can cause symptoms such as pain and limited movement. It can also lead to joint damage and deformity. Causes of cartilage problems include :

  • Tears and injuries, such as sports injuries
  • Genetic factors
  • Other disorders, such as some types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis results from breakdown of cartilage.

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.