Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions — including arthritis, gout, and infections — also can cause knee pain.
Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.
Knee pain can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis, and other problems. A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the joint itself. Some of the more common knee injuries include ACL injury, fractures, torn meniscus, and knee bursitis. Some examples of mechanical problems that can cause knee pain include loose body, iliotibial band syndrome, a dislocated kneecap, and foot pain. More than 100 different types of arthritis exist. The varieties most likely to affect the knee include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout, and septic arthritis.
Treatments will vary, depending upon what exactly is causing your knee pain. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve pain and to treat underlying conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Strengthening the muscles around your knee will make it more stable. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy or different types of strengthening exercises based on the specific condition that is causing your pain. In some cases, your doctor may suggest injecting medications or other substances directly into your joint. Examples include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and PRP. If you have an injury that may require surgery, it’s usually not necessary to have the operation immediately. If you choose to have surgery, your options may include arthroscopic surgery, partial knee replacement surgery, or total knee replacement.
The table below includes the most commonly used ICD-10 codes for left knee pain:
| ICD-10 Chapter | Codes | Code Description |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | M25.362 | Other instability, left knee |
| 13 | M25.369 | Other instability, unspecified knee |
| 13 | M25.562 | Pain in left knee |
| 13 | M25.569 | Pain in unspecified knee |
| 13 | M25.662 | Stiffness of left knee, not elsewhere classified |
| 13 | M25.669 | Stiffness of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified |
| 13 | M25.862 | Other specified joint disorders, left knee |
| 13 | M25.869 | Other specified joint disorders, unspecified knee |
Author: Tonoya Ahmed
