Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M23

Internal derangement of knee

ICD-10-CM Code:
M23
ICD-10 Code for:
Internal derangement of knee
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

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

M23 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of internal derangement of knee. 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 Internal derangement of knee

Non-specific codes like M23 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 internal derangement of knee:

  • M23.0 for Cystic meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.00 for Cystic meniscus, unspecified meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.01 for Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of medial meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.02 for Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of medial meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.03 for Cystic meniscus, other medial meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.04 for Cystic meniscus, anterior horn of lateral meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.05 for Cystic meniscus, posterior horn of lateral meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.06 for Cystic meniscus, other lateral meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.2 for Derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.20 for Derangement of unspecified meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.21 for Derangement of anterior horn of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.22 for Derangement of posterior horn of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.23 for Derangement of other medial meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.24 for Derangement of anterior horn of lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.25 for Derangement of posterior horn of lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.26 for Derangement of other lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.3 for Other meniscus derangements - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.30 for Other meniscus derangements, unspecified meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.31 for Other meniscus derangements, anterior horn of medial meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.32 for Other meniscus derangements, posterior horn of medial meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.33 for Other meniscus derangements, other medial meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.34 for Other meniscus derangements, anterior horn of lateral meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.35 for Other meniscus derangements, posterior horn of lateral meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.36 for Other meniscus derangements, other lateral meniscus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.4 for Loose body in knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.40 for Loose body in knee, unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.41 for Loose body in knee, right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.42 for Loose body in knee, left knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.5 for Chronic instability of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.50 for Chronic instability of knee, unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.51 for Chronic instability of knee, right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.52 for Chronic instability of knee, left knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.6 for Other spontaneous disruption of ligament(s) of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.60 for Other spontaneous disruption of unspecified ligament of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.61 for Other spontaneous disruption of anterior cruciate ligament of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.62 for Other spontaneous disruption of posterior cruciate ligament of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.63 for Other spontaneous disruption of medial collateral ligament of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.64 for Other spontaneous disruption of lateral collateral ligament of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.67 for Other spontaneous disruption of capsular ligament of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.8 for Other internal derangements of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.8X for Other internal derangements of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • M23.9 for Unspecified internal derangement of knee - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.90 for Unspecified internal derangement of unspecified knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.91 for Unspecified internal derangement of right knee - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use M23.92 for Unspecified internal derangement of left 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.


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.
  • ankylosis M24.66
  • deformity of knee M21
  • osteochondritis dissecans M93.2

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • current injury - see injury of knee and lower leg S80 S89
  • recurrent dislocation or subluxation of joints M24.4
  • recurrent dislocation or subluxation of patella M22.0 M22.1

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.