Other secondary chronic gout, right elbow, without tophus

This code signifies a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting the right elbow, caused by elevated uric acid levels, but not due to a primary metabolic defect. It indicates that the characteristic urate crystal deposits (tophi) are not present in this specific joint. The "secondary" aspect implies an underlying condition or medication is contributing to the hyperuricemia.

Use this code when documentation confirms chronic gout in the right elbow, explicitly stating it is secondary and without tophaceous deposits. This typically occurs in patients with conditions like renal insufficiency, myeloproliferative disorders, or those on certain medications (e.g., diuretics) that lead to hyperuricemia. The physician's notes should clearly specify the joint, chronicity, and absence of tophi.

• Ensure documentation specifies "secondary" gout and the absence of tophi to differentiate from other gout types.
• Always code the underlying condition causing the secondary gout first, if known and applicable, following ICD-10-CM sequencing guidelines.
• Verify laterality (right elbow) is clearly documented; incorrect laterality is a common coding error.