ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for knee chondromalacia
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Chondromalacia (systemic) › knee”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding knee chondromalacia
The ICD-10-CM code for knee chondromalacia is M94.26 (Chondromalacia, knee). The official index lists 1 more specific code, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on M94.26.
Within M94.2 (Chondromalacia), M94.26 is specifically for Chondromalacia, knee. Related codes cover unspecified site (M94.20), shoulder (M94.21), elbow (M94.22), wrist (M94.23), joints of hand (M94.24), hip (M94.25), ankle and joints of foot (M94.27), other site (M94.28) and 1 more.
To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: M94.261 (knee), M94.262 (knee) and M94.269 (knee).
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
More specific knee chondromalacia codes (official index)
- patella M22.4 — Chondromalacia patellae
Common questions about knee chondromalacia ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for knee chondromalacia?
- M94.26 — Chondromalacia, knee (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: M22.4.
What is the ICD-10 code for patella knee chondromalacia?
- M22.4 — Chondromalacia patellae (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is M94.26 billable?
- No. M94.26 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.