Staphylococcal arthritis, left wrist

This diagnosis code signifies an inflammatory condition of the left wrist joint caused by a Staphylococcus bacterial infection. It indicates an acute or chronic infectious arthritis specifically affecting the synovial lining and cartilage of the left wrist.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a diagnosis of septic arthritis of the left wrist, with laboratory cultures or clinical evidence identifying Staphylococcus as the causative organism. This is typically used for patients presenting with acute pain, swelling, warmth, and limited range of motion in the left wrist, accompanied by systemic signs of infection.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "Staphylococcal" and specifies the "left wrist" as the affected joint.
• Do not confuse with non-infectious inflammatory arthropathies or other bacterial causes of septic arthritis.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when the staphylococcal arthritis is the reason for the encounter.