In simple words: This code indicates that the patient has a history of a musculoskeletal or connective tissue problem other than fractures, which is important for their overall health management.

This code indicates a past history of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, excluding traumatic fractures, osteoporosis fractures, pathological fractures, and stress fractures.It is used to document a patient's history when it is relevant to their current health status or the reason for their encounter with healthcare services.

Example 1: A patient presents for a routine check-up and mentions a past history of rheumatoid arthritis, which is now in remission. The physician would document this history using Z87.39., A patient with a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis reports a previous history of lupus affecting their joints. This past history is documented as Z87.39., A patient presents with back pain. The patient's history includes a previous episode of polymyalgia rheumatica, now resolved. Z87.39 would be used to document this previous condition.

Documentation should clearly state the specific musculoskeletal or connective tissue disease the patient has had in the past, along with any relevant details such as dates of diagnosis, treatment, and resolution.