Meningococcal arthritis

This code identifies arthritis caused by Neisseria meningitidis infection. It signifies an inflammatory joint condition resulting from the dissemination of meningococcal bacteria, often as a complication of meningococcal disease.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states meningococcal arthritis. This typically occurs in patients presenting with joint pain, swelling, and inflammation, with laboratory confirmation of Neisseria meningitidis from synovial fluid or blood cultures, or a clear clinical diagnosis linking the arthritis to a meningococcal infection.

• Always ensure documentation specifies meningococcal as the causative agent for the arthritis.
• Code the underlying meningococcal infection (e.g., A39.0, A39.1) as the primary diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter, with this code as a secondary diagnosis.
• Do not confuse with other forms of infectious arthritis; the specific bacterial etiology must be documented.