Staphylococcal arthritis, vertebrae

This code signifies an inflammatory condition of the vertebral joints caused by a Staphylococcus bacterial infection. It represents a specific form of infectious arthritis affecting the spinal column.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states staphylococcal arthritis affecting any part of the vertebrae. Supporting documentation should include a confirmed diagnosis of staphylococcal infection and evidence of vertebral involvement, often through imaging or clinical examination.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "staphylococcal" as the causative organism; do not use for other bacterial causes.
• Verify that the infection is indeed arthritis of the vertebrae, not osteomyelitis or discitis without joint involvement.
• Consider sequencing this code after a code for the underlying staphylococcal infection if applicable, or as the primary diagnosis if the arthritis is the main reason for the encounter.