M94.232 Chondromalacia, left wrist

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M94.232: Chondromalacia, left wrist

ICD-10-CM code M94.232 designates a diagnosis of chondromalacia of the left wrist. The code is an active terminology concept with a parent category for wrist chondromalacia. Clinical literature indicates that chondromalacia can develop from repeated bone impingement and abrasion when the wrist is used in full ulnar deviation. 1 2

Plain-language overview

Code M94.232 identifies chondromalacia specifically located in the left wrist, classified within medical terminology as a disease or syndrome concept. 1

What this code represents

The diagnostic code M94.232 represents an active condition of left wrist chondromalacia, functioning as a narrower concept under the broader parent code M94.23 for wrist chondromalacia. 1

Code M94.232 is distinct from adjacent codes like M94.231 for right wrist chondromalacia and M94.239 for unspecified wrist chondromalacia, establishing its specific laterality. 4

Clinical context

Clinical literature describes the suggested mechanism for the development of chondromalacia as the repeated impingement and abrasion of bones when the wrist is used in full ulnar deviation. 2

Clinical evaluations of wrist pain reviewed in the literature include features such as dorsal and ulnar-sided pain, synovitis, decreased grip strength, and reduced range of motion. 2

Documentation considerations

The terminology record for M94.232 specifies the left wrist as the anatomical location, and a code list distinguishes this specific left-sided diagnosis from right and unspecified wrist conditions. 1 4

What the sources add

Terminology records from different domains confirm the code M94.232 and its preferred name, while clinical literature provides operational context regarding the mechanism and imaging of related wrist disorders. 1 2

A mapping source links the ICD-10-CM code M94.232 to a SNOMEDCTUS concept, while an alternate code, M11.132 for familial chondrocalcinosis left wrist, appears as a related mapped concept. [3](https://evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov/evsexplore/concept/snomedctus/15720201000119109)

Coverage and utilization context

The appearance of M94.232 in terminology files and code lists establishes its classification status, but the supplied sources do not provide payer-specific coverage guidelines or reimbursement rules. 1 3

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM M94.232 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Ulnar-sided wrist pain. II. Clinical imaging and treatment — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. M94.23 - Chondromalacia, wrist | ICD-10-CM — unboundmedicine.com; accessed 2026-07-27.