Enteropathic arthropathies, left shoulder

This code signifies inflammation of the left shoulder joint that is associated with an underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It represents a specific manifestation of enteropathic arthropathy affecting a single joint.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states enteropathic arthropathy affecting the left shoulder. This diagnosis is typically made in patients with a confirmed IBD who present with inflammatory arthritis symptoms in the shoulder, often supported by imaging and laboratory findings.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "left shoulder" as the affected joint; laterality is crucial.
• Always code the underlying inflammatory bowel disease first, as it is the primary condition causing the arthropathy.
• Differentiate from other forms of inflammatory arthritis affecting the shoulder, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, which have distinct ICD-10-CM codes.