Arthritis due to other bacteria, left knee

This code signifies an inflammatory joint condition affecting the left knee, caused by a bacterial infection other than those specified elsewhere (e.g., staphylococcal, streptococcal). It represents a septic arthritis where the causative organism is identified as bacterial but not further classified to a more specific bacterial type.

Apply this code when documentation confirms bacterial arthritis of the left knee, and the specific bacterial pathogen is known to be non-staphylococcal, non-streptococcal, and not otherwise specified by a more precise code. This code is appropriate when the bacterial etiology is confirmed, but a more granular bacterial code is unavailable or not documented.

• Always seek documentation for the specific bacterial organism. If identified, use a more precise code from the M00.0-M00.2 series.
• Ensure laterality is clearly documented as "left knee." If bilateral, use the appropriate bilateral code or separate codes for each knee.
• Code the underlying bacterial infection (e.g., B95.-, B96.-) as an additional diagnosis, if known and not inherent in the M00 code.