Gonococcal spondylopathy

This code signifies inflammation of the spine (spondylopathy) specifically caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. It represents a rare but serious extragenital manifestation of gonorrhea, affecting the vertebral column and surrounding structures.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of spondylopathy directly attributed to gonococcal infection, often confirmed by laboratory findings (e.g., positive cultures or PCR for N. gonorrhoeae from synovial fluid or blood). This code is appropriate for cases presenting with back pain, stiffness, and systemic signs of infection in a patient with confirmed or highly suspected gonorrhea.

• Always sequence the underlying gonococcal infection code (A54.9 or more specific) before this code.
• Ensure documentation specifies "spondylopathy" and not just general arthritis, as gonococcal arthritis has different codes.
• Verify that the infectious agent is explicitly identified as Neisseria gonorrhoeae to support this specific diagnosis.