Reiter's disease, left hand

This code identifies reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome, affecting the left hand. This autoimmune condition typically develops in response to an infection elsewhere in the body, presenting with inflammation of the joints, eyes, and genitourinary tract. The "left hand" specificity indicates the primary site of arthritic manifestation for this particular diagnosis.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of Reiter's disease with specific involvement of the left hand. This is appropriate for patients presenting with symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in the left hand joints following a preceding infection (e.g., gastrointestinal or genitourinary). Supporting documentation should include physician notes detailing the diagnosis, affected joint, and laterality.

• Ensure documentation specifies "Reiter's disease" or "reactive arthritis" and explicitly states involvement of the "left hand."
• Do not confuse with other forms of inflammatory arthritis if the documentation does not support a reactive etiology.
• Consider sequencing this code after the code for the underlying infection, if known and still active, as reactive arthritis is a sequela.