Juvenile arthritis, unspecified, left hand

This code signifies a diagnosis of juvenile arthritis where the specific type of arthritis is not documented, and the condition affects the patient's left hand. It indicates chronic inflammatory joint disease of unknown etiology, typically presenting before the age of 16.

Apply this code when the medical record clearly states juvenile arthritis affecting the left hand, but the physician has not specified a more definitive type (e.g., oligoarticular, polyarticular, systemic). Documentation should confirm the diagnosis of juvenile arthritis and laterality to the left hand.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "unspecified" or lacks further detail regarding the type of juvenile arthritis.
• Verify laterality. If both hands are affected, a bilateral code or separate codes for each hand (if no bilateral option) would be more appropriate.
• Avoid using this code if a more specific type of juvenile arthritis (e.g., M08.042 for enthesitis-related juvenile arthritis, left hand) is documented.