Question

A 74-year-old patient is scheduled for a total knee replacement due to degenerative joint disease (DJD) of his left knee. The patient had surgery in 2012 for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Select the correct diagnosis code(s).

A.K21.9
B.M25.462
C.M17.12
D.M17.12, K21.9

Answer 1

The correct diagnosis code for a total knee replacement due to degenerative joint disease of the left knee is M17.12, as the patient's past GERD surgery is not relevant unless actively treated.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct diagnosis code for a 74-year-old patient scheduled for a total knee replacement due to degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee is M17.12. This code specifies osteoarthritis of the left knee requiring a joint replacement. The patient's history of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 2012 is not relevant to the current diagnosis for the knee replacement procedure; thus, GERD's diagnosis code, K21.9, is not required in this context unless the GERD is currently active and pertinent to the treatment plan. Therefore, the answer is C. M17.12.