Gonococcal osteomyelitis

This code identifies bone infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It represents an inflammatory process of the bone and bone marrow resulting from disseminated gonococcal infection, often presenting with joint pain, swelling, and fever.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states gonococcal osteomyelitis. This diagnosis is typically supported by positive cultures for N. gonorrhoeae from bone aspirate or synovial fluid, along with clinical signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis.

• Differentiate from gonococcal arthritis without bone involvement.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "osteomyelitis" and not just a general gonococcal musculoskeletal infection.
• Review "Excludes2" note to avoid miscoding gonococcal infection of the spine.