M25.50 – Pain in unspecified joint
Learn all about the ICD-10-CM code M25.50, which is for diagnosing pain in an unspecified joint. This little guide will include what its clinical description is, if it’s billable or not, what its synonyms are, what other ICD codes are related to it, and a few FAQs.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
M25.50 Diagnosis Code: Pain in unspecified joint
The S25.50 is an ICD code included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM, for short), and it is used to designate “Pain in unspecified joint.”
The ICD code’s designation is straightforward. It means that the patient is dealing with joint pain.
This is mainly used as a general diagnosis for the patient. It is a way to tell healthcare professionals that it is just known that the patient is experiencing joint pain. If this is used on a patient, the specific joint has not been identified yet during the current point they are at with their consultations/treatment.
Is the M25.50 billable?
Yes, the M25.50 ICD-10-CM code is billable and can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement.
M25.50 Clinical Information
Pain in joints is indicative that the joints are strained. It also means the patient may be dealing with a joint disorder.
Joint disorders come in the form of injuries or diseases. Joint injuries are normally sustained by overusing the joints (due to strenuous activities, including labor) or accidents (falling, vehicular accidents, lifting heavy objects, etc.). These injuries include sprains, strains, dislocations, bursitis, and tendonitis.
Diseases like arthritis (the swelling of one or more joints) can cause pain, especially when the patient is older. Another example would be lupus, an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system attack your tissues, organs, and joints. This disease can even give rise to arthritis!
Treatment for joint pain will depend on the severity of the pain. Joint pain is normally treated by taking medicine (including pain relievers), exercising and physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic. Surgery might be the best choice to fix the problem in worse cases.
Once the patient is checked on again, perhaps a more specific diagnosis can be made, and the necessary tests and treatment will be based on the specific diagnosis.
M25.50 synonyms include
- Pain of bilateral knee joints
- Pain of bilateral knee regions
- Pain of joint of bilateral lower legs
- Pain of joint of left lower leg
- Pain of joint of right lower leg
- Pain of left knee joint
- Pain of right knee joint
- Pain on joint movement
- Pain on passive stretch of joint
- Painful swelling of joint
- Pain due to arthritis
- Multiple joint pain
Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for joint pain
- M25.519 - pain in unspecified shoulder
- M25.529 - pain in unspecified elbow
- M25.521 - pain in right elbow
- M25.522 - pain in left elbow
- M25.539 - pain in unspecified wrist
- M25.549 - pain in joints of unspecified hand
- M25.559 - pain in unspecified hip
- M25.569 - pain in unspecified knee
- M25.579 - pain in unspecified ankle and joints of unspecified foot
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Commonly asked questions
Yes, this ICD-10 code is billable.
It means that the patient is dealing with joint pain, however, the specific joints that are in pain are not specified. It’s more of a diagnosis that gives professionals an idea as to what the general problem is.
It depends on the specific joint, but more often than not, it involves medication, rest, exercise, and physical therapy. The severity of the pain may also influence what goes into the treatment plan of a patient.
