ICD-10 Code M02.049 – Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, unspecified hand (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M02.049 – Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, unspecified hand
What it is
This code identifies joint disease that develops after an intestinal bypass procedure and is located in an unspecified hand. Use it when the record links the hand arthropathy to the bypass history, but does not specify a more exact hand site.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced hand motion. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the affected joints and any supporting history of intestinal bypass.
When to use this code
Use M02.049 when the provider documents arthropathy as a consequence of prior intestinal bypass and the hand is involved, but laterality or a more specific hand joint is not stated. Code it from the documented diagnosis, not from suspicion alone.
If the note only mentions hand pain without a causal link to intestinal bypass, this code is not supported. Check documentation for the postoperative relationship and whether a more specific code is available.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific hand arthritis, traumatic joint injury, or arthropathy from another cause. If the bypass relationship is not documented, choose a different diagnosis code.
Coding tip
Confirm both the intestinal bypass history and the provider’s stated causal connection before assigning M02.049.