Arthritis due to other bacteria, left hand

This code signifies an inflammatory joint condition affecting the left hand, caused by bacterial pathogens other than those specifically classified elsewhere (e.g., staphylococcal, streptococcal). It indicates an infectious arthritis where the causative organism is identified as bacterial but falls outside more specific bacterial categories.

Use this code when documentation confirms bacterial arthritis of the left hand, and the specific bacterial agent is identified but does not have a more precise ICD-10-CM code (e.g., gram-negative bacteria, spirochetes). Supporting documentation should include laboratory findings confirming bacterial infection and imaging or clinical notes indicating arthritis in the left hand.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "left hand" to support this laterality.
• Do not use this code if the bacterial organism is specifically identified as staphylococcal or streptococcal; use the more specific codes in M00.0-M00.2.
• Code the underlying bacterial infection first, if known and not inherent to the arthritis code itself, following ICD-10-CM sequencing guidelines.