From the Guidelines
The ICD-10 code for lateral epicondylitis, also known as outer elbow overuse, is M77.1. This code is used to identify the condition commonly referred to as "tennis elbow," which is an overuse injury affecting the outer part of the elbow. Lateral epicondylitis occurs when the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle (the bony bump on the outside of the elbow) become inflamed or develop small tears due to repetitive strain, as discussed in the context of overuse tendon problems 1. Some key points about lateral epicondylitis include:
- It is seven to 10 times more common than medial epicondylitis, with the dominant arm being affected 75 percent of the time 1.
- The condition commonly occurs in persons who play racquet sports (“tennis elbow”) and often is a problem in occupations requiring repetitive wrist flexion and extension 1.
- When documenting this condition in medical records, it's essential to specify laterality (right, left, or bilateral) for more precise coding, though M77.1 is the base code regardless of which arm is affected.
- The condition is often treated with rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and occasionally corticosteroid injections or surgery in severe cases, as outlined in treatments for overuse tendinopathies 1.
From the Research
Lateral Epicondylitis ICD-10 Code
The ICD-10 code for lateral epicondylitis, also known as outer elbow overuse or tennis elbow, is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies. However, based on the information available, we can try to find a relevant code.
Possible ICD-10 Codes
- M77.1: Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a possible code, but it is not directly mentioned in the studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Some studies mention that lateral epicondylitis is a common cause of elbow pain in adults, with approximately 1-3% of the general population being afflicted 2, 6.
- The condition is usually self-limiting, but pain can be a major hindrance, limiting daily activity and the work capacity of patients 2.
Treatment Options
- Conservative treatments, such as steroid injections, NSAIDs, topical creams, platelet-rich plasma, physical therapy, and kinesiotaping, are considered for lateral epicondylitis 2, 3.
- Surgical options are reserved for refractory cases 2, 3, 5.
- Other treatment options, such as watchful waiting, topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, ultrasonography, and iontophoresis, may provide short-term benefits 3.
Diagnosis and Symptoms
- Diagnosis is mainly based on symptoms and signs, including lateral elbow pain during twisting and gripping and tenderness at the lateral forearm exacerbated by stress testing of the forearm extensors 4.
- Comprehensive treatment should include rest, use of ice, antiinflammatory drug therapy, use of sleep-cycle modifiers, and sometimes surgery in otherwise unresponsive cases 4.