Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified shoulder

This diagnosis code signifies an inflammatory condition of the shoulder joint caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, where the specific shoulder (left or right) is not documented. It represents a bacterial infection leading to joint pain, swelling, and restricted movement in the shoulder.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates pneumococcal arthritis affecting the shoulder, but the laterality (left or right) is not specified. This typically occurs when laboratory cultures confirm S. pneumoniae as the causative agent of the arthritis and the physician's notes do not differentiate between the left or right shoulder.

• Avoid using this code if the laterality of the affected shoulder is documented; instead, use the more specific codes for left or right shoulder.
• Ensure documentation supports the pneumococcal etiology, such as positive cultures or physician's explicit diagnosis.
• Consider sequencing this code after any underlying systemic infection if applicable, or as the primary diagnosis if the arthritis is the main reason for the encounter.