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By Peggy S. Blue, MPH, CPC, CCS-P

One of the goals of National Arthritis Month is to increase knowledge and awareness of arthritis (literally, “joint inflammation”). Arthritis is not a single disease but actually a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that are well known for causing joint stiffness, pain and swelling. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints.

Myths would have us believe arthritis is a disease that targets older people, but arthritis can affect people at any age—including kids. The incidence of arthritis increases with age, more than half of those with arthritis are under 65. However, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than 55.

Arthritis can affect joints throughout the body, causing pain or inflammation. It is diagnosable via blood tests and x-rays of the affected joints.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for arthritis. Learning to live with and manage the disease is critical. Treatment for arthritis varies based on the type of arthritis affecting the patient. Treatment options include:

• Medications 
• Physical or occupational therapy 
• Dietary supplements 
• Lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise and weight control) 
• Joint replacement (for severe cases) 

Studies have shown that exercising the affected joint can make a noticeable difference in long-term pain relief. People with arthritis should stay as active as possible because inactivity can lead to stiff and weak muscles. Arthritic patients should begin by attempting to carefully move arthritic joints through their full range of motion on a daily basis. Ideally, they can then build endurance over time to the point where they are able to exercise at least 20–30 minutes per day, three times a week.

Muscle strengthening exercises can also help. Stronger muscles will provide additional support for joints by stabilizing them. This will enable patients to move the joints more easily and less painfully.

Coding arthritis depends on the specific type of arthritis. For example, according to the Coding Clinic, fourth quarter 2003, and second quarter 1995, coders should report osteoarthritis of all joints except for the spine with an ICD-9 category 715 code. The type of osteoarthritis (e.g., primary, secondary, localized, or generalized) is represented by the code’s fourth digit. For example, when documentation indicates a patient presents with osteoarthritis in one site but doesn’t state it is primary or secondary, a coder should report code 715.3. Coders should report osteoarthritis of the spine with codes 721.0–721.9.

Editor's note: Peggy S. Blue, MPH, CPC, CCS-P, is a regulatory specialist for HCPro, Inc. You can e-mail her at pblue@hcpro.com.