Other infective (teno)synovitis, left hand

This code signifies an inflammation of the synovial lining of a tendon sheath, or the tendon itself, in the left hand, caused by an infectious agent other than those specified elsewhere (e.g., tuberculosis, syphilis). It indicates an infection affecting the lubricating membrane surrounding the tendons, leading to pain, swelling, and impaired movement.

Apply this code when documentation specifies an infectious tenosynovitis or synovitis of the left hand, and the causative organism is not explicitly identified as a specific bacterial or fungal infection with its own dedicated code. This is appropriate for cases where the infection is confirmed but the specific pathogen is either unknown or falls under the "other infective" category. Supporting documentation should include physician notes detailing the diagnosis, location (left hand), and infectious etiology.

• Always specify laterality (left, right, bilateral) for hand conditions; this code is specific to the left hand.
• Distinguish between infective and non-infective tenosynovitis; non-infective forms are coded differently (e.g., M65.84-).
• If the specific infectious agent is identified and has a more precise code (e.g., staphylococcal tenosynovitis), use that more specific code instead.