Other reactive arthropathies, right wrist

This code signifies an inflammatory joint condition affecting the right wrist that develops in response to an infection elsewhere in the body, but is not directly caused by the infection itself within the joint. It represents a sterile arthritis triggered by an extra-articular infection, often gastrointestinal or genitourinary.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a reactive arthropathy localized to the right wrist, following an infection. Supporting documentation should specify the laterality (right wrist) and rule out direct infectious arthritis of the joint.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "reactive" and the affected joint is the "right wrist."
• Do not use for infectious arthritis where the pathogen is present in the joint; instead, use codes from Chapter 13 with an additional code for the infection.
• Consider sequencing this code after the underlying infection, if known and still active, or as the primary diagnosis if the reactive arthropathy is the main reason for the encounter.