Staphylococcal arthritis, left knee

This code signifies an inflammatory joint condition of the left knee caused by a Staphylococcus bacterial infection. It represents a specific type of septic arthritis where the synovial fluid and joint tissues are infected by staphylococcal organisms.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of staphylococcal arthritis affecting the left knee. Supporting documentation would include positive synovial fluid cultures for Staphylococcus, clinical signs of infection (e.g., warmth, swelling, pain, erythema), and imaging findings consistent with septic arthritis localized to the left knee.

• Ensure the documentation specifies Staphylococcus as the causative organism and explicitly identifies the left knee as the affected joint.
• Do not use this code for non-infectious inflammatory arthropathies or for septic arthritis caused by other bacterial species.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, followed by codes for any associated systemic infection or complications.