Drug-induced chronic gout, left ankle and foot, w/o tophus

This code signifies a persistent, inflammatory arthritis caused by a medication, specifically affecting the left ankle and foot. The condition is characterized by elevated uric acid levels leading to crystal deposition in the joint, but without the presence of visible or palpable urate deposits (tophi).

Apply this code when documentation clearly states chronic gout in the left ankle and foot, explicitly attributing its etiology to a drug. This diagnosis is typically made after ruling out other causes of gout and identifying a causative medication. Supporting documentation should include a history of medication use, joint pain in the specified area, and laboratory findings consistent with gout.

• Always identify the specific drug causing the gout and code it as an adverse effect (T36-T50 with a 5th or 6th character of 5).
• Ensure documentation specifies "chronic" gout and the absence of tophi; otherwise, a different code may be more appropriate.
• Verify the laterality (left ankle and foot) is clearly stated in the medical record.