Postdysenteric arthropathy, unspecified ankle and foot

This code signifies joint inflammation and pain in an unspecified ankle or foot that develops following a bout of dysentery. It is a reactive arthritis, meaning the joint symptoms are triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body, in this case, the gastrointestinal tract.

Apply this code when a patient presents with arthropathy of an ankle or foot, and the medical record clearly links its onset to a preceding episode of dysentery. Documentation should confirm the reactive nature of the arthritis and specify the affected joint as an ankle or foot without further laterality.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "postdysenteric" or clearly links dysentery to the subsequent arthropathy.
• Avoid using this code if the arthritis is due to direct infection of the joint or other causes.
• If laterality (right or left) of the ankle/foot is documented, a more specific code from the M02.17- subcategory should be used.