Billable / Specific Code
ICD-10-CM M18.31 is the diagnosis code for Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint, right hand. This code falls under the section "Osteoarthritis" within Chapter 13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.
Understanding where M18.31 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
Yes, M18.31 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
M18.31 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint, right hand". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of M18.31 is M18.3 ("Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint"). M18.31 provides a more specific classification within this category.
M18.31 is located in Section M15-M19 — "Osteoarthritis" within Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Use M18.31 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint, right hand" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of first carpometacarpal joint, right hand is M18.31.
Yes, M18.31 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.
M18.31 is in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, M18.31 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.