Other chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis, left shoulder

This code signifies a persistent, long-term infection of the bone and bone marrow in the left shoulder, specifically caused by pathogens spread through the bloodstream. It indicates a non-acute inflammatory process within the osseous tissue of the glenohumeral joint or surrounding structures.

Use this code for patients diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of the left shoulder where the infection originated from a hematogenous source. Documentation should clearly state "chronic" and specify the left shoulder as the affected site, often supported by imaging (e.g., X-ray, MRI) and laboratory findings (e.g., elevated inflammatory markers, positive cultures).

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "chronic" and "hematogenous" to differentiate from acute or other forms of osteomyelitis.
• Verify laterality (left shoulder) is clearly documented; do not assume if not specified.
• Code any associated infectious organism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) as an additional diagnosis, if identified.