ICD-10-CM · Hip

M70.72

Left hip bursitis not classifiable as trochanteric bursitis — includes ischial bursitis of the left hip and other non-trochanteric bursal inflammations at the left hip joint.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 5 sources ↓

Status: Billable
Chapter: 13
Related CPT: 8
Region: Hip

Drawn from CDCICD10DataAAPCNIHCMS

Documentation tips

What should appear in the chart to support M70.72.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 5 cited references ↓

Explicitly name 'left hip' in the diagnosis — do not rely on laterality implied by procedure site alone.
Identify the specific bursa involved (e.g., ischial, iliopsoas) to distinguish M70.72 from trochanteric bursitis (M70.62).
Document the mechanical cause — repetitive activity, occupational pressure, or overuse — to justify the M70 category and support an external cause code (Y93.-).
Record imaging results (ultrasound or MRI) confirming bursal effusion or inflammation when ordering advanced diagnostics.
Note duration and prior conservative management (rest, NSAIDs, PT) to establish medical necessity before injections or surgery.

Related CPT procedures

Procedure codes commonly billed with M70.72. Linking the right diagnosis to the right procedure is what establishes medical necessity.

Source · CMS LCDs · AAOS specialty guidance · claims-pattern analysis

20610 $68.81

Aspiration and/or injection of a major joint or bursa (shoulder, hip, knee, or subacromial bursa) performed without ultrasound guidance.

73502 $48.77

Radiologic exam of a single hip, capturing two or three views, including the pelvis when performed.

73521 $41.75

Bilateral hip X-ray examination capturing two radiographic views of both hips, including the pelvis when performed.

73523 $61.46

Radiologic examination of both hips, including the pelvis when performed, requiring a minimum of five views captured from multiple projections.

27054 $651.32

Open excision of the synovial membrane lining the hip joint, performed to reduce inflammation and restore function.

27062 $432.88

Open surgical excision of the trochanteric bursa or calcific deposit at the greater trochanter of the femur.

97110 $29.06

Therapeutic exercise billed per 15-minute unit, targeting strength, endurance, range of motion, or flexibility with direct one-on-one patient contact.

97012 View procedure details

Common coding pitfalls

The recurring mistakes coders make with M70.72 and adjacent codes.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CDC ICD-10-CM tabular guidance, AAOS coding references, and cited references ↓

Assigning M70.62 (trochanteric bursitis, left) when the documented bursa is ischial — these are anatomically distinct and code separately.
Defaulting to M70.70 (unspecified hip) when the clinician clearly documents the left side; unspecified laterality triggers payer downcoding and audit risk.
Omitting the Y93.- external cause code when documentation explicitly ties bursitis to an occupational or repetitive activity.
Using M71.9- (bursitis NOS) instead of M70.72 when a mechanical/overuse cause is documented — M70 is more specific and payer-preferred.
Coding M70.72 for referred hip pain originating from lumbar pathology without confirming bursal involvement on examination or imaging.

Clinical context

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 5 cited references ↓

M70.72 covers left-sided hip bursitis that falls outside the trochanteric bursitis category (M70.62). The most common clinical presentation captured here is ischial bursitis — inflammation of the bursa overlying the ischial tuberosity — which produces deep buttock pain that worsens with prolonged sitting. The code sits under the M70 block, meaning the condition must be related to use, overuse, or pressure; idiopathic bursitis not linked to mechanical cause should be evaluated against M71.x alternatives.

Within the M70.7 family, laterality is mandatory: M70.71 = right, M70.72 = left, M70.70 = unspecified. Never default to unspecified when the operative or clinical note names the left side. The parent category M70 carries a Use Additional code instruction — append an external cause code (Y93.-) when an occupational or activity-related etiology is documented (e.g., prolonged seated work, cycling).

M70.72 is excluded from use alongside bursitis NOS (M71.9-), bursitis of the shoulder (M75.5), and enthesopathies (M76–M77). Confirm the bursa involved is at the hip, not a referred pain pattern from lumbar spine or piriformis syndrome, before assigning this code.

Sibling codes

Other billable codes under M70.7 (laterality / anatomic variants).

M70.71

Other bursitis of hip, right hip

M70.70

Other bursitis of hip, unspecified hip

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 5 cited references ↓

01What is the difference between M70.62 and M70.72 for left hip bursitis?

M70.62 is trochanteric bursitis of the left hip — inflammation at the greater trochanter bursa. M70.72 covers all other left hip bursitis, most notably ischial bursitis. The distinction depends on which bursa the clinician identifies; use the documented anatomical location, not the generic complaint of 'hip bursitis.'

02When should I use M70.70 (unspecified) instead of M70.72?

Use M70.70 only when the clinical note genuinely does not specify left or right. If the note, operative report, or imaging reads 'left,' assign M70.72. Unspecified codes increase audit risk and may trigger payer requests for additional documentation.

03Does M70.72 require an external cause code?

The M70 category carries a Use Additional code instruction for Y93.- (activity codes) when overuse or a specific activity caused the bursitis. If the provider documents a causative activity — cycling, prolonged sitting at work, athletic training — append the appropriate Y93 code.

04Can M70.72 be used alongside trochanteric bursitis of the same hip?

Yes, if the clinician documents involvement of two distinct bursae on the left hip (e.g., both trochanteric and ischial), you may report M70.62 and M70.72 together. Both must be independently supported by examination or imaging findings.

05Which CPT codes are commonly paired with M70.72?

Aspiration or injection of the hip bursa uses CPT 20610. Hip imaging to confirm diagnosis is reported with 73502 (X-ray, left hip, 2-3 views) or MRI codes. If the bursitis requires surgical excision, 27054 (arthrotomy with synovectomy, hip) or 27062 (excision of bursa) may apply depending on the approach and payer policy.

06Is M70.72 valid for inpatient hospital claims?

Yes. M70.72 maps to an MS-DRG under the musculoskeletal MDC and is valid for both inpatient and outpatient claims. For inpatient admissions, a Present on Admission (POA) indicator is required per CMS guidelines.

07What distinguishes M70.72 from M71.x hip bursitis codes?

M70 requires a documented mechanical cause — use, overuse, or pressure. M71 covers bursitis not linked to mechanical etiology, including infected, calcium-deposit, and idiopathic forms. If the record specifies repetitive or occupational cause, M70.72 is correct; if etiology is unclear or absent, consider the M71 range.

Sources & references

Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.

01CDC ICD-10-CM Tabular List 2026 (effective October 1, 2025)
02
icd10data.com
https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M70-M79/M70-/M70.72
03
aapc.com
https://www.aapc.com/codes/icd-10-codes/M70.72
04
vsac.nlm.nih.gov
https://vsac.nlm.nih.gov/context/cs/codesystem/ICD10CM/version/2022/code/M70.72/info
05
cms.gov
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-for-service-providers/hospital-aquired-conditions-hac/coding

Mira AI Scribe

The Mira AI Scribe captures left-side laterality, the specific bursa named by the clinician (ischial, iliopsoas, or other), any occupational or activity-related cause, imaging findings confirming bursal effusion, and prior conservative care attempts. Capturing these elements prevents a drop to unspecified M70.70, blocks misrouting to trochanteric bursitis M70.62, and satisfies the M70 Use Additional code requirement for activity cause.

See how Mira captures M70.72 documentation