Arthritis due to other bacteria, unspecified knee

This code signifies an inflammatory joint condition affecting an unspecified knee, caused by a bacterial infection other than those specified elsewhere (e.g., gonococcal, meningococcal). It indicates a bacterial arthritis where the specific pathogen is not identified or is not one of the more common, separately classified bacterial causes.

Apply this code when documentation confirms bacterial arthritis of the knee, but the specific bacterial organism is not identified or is not a type with its own distinct ICD-10-CM code. This is appropriate when the physician notes "bacterial arthritis, knee, unspecified organism" or "septic arthritis, knee, due to other bacteria."

• Always seek to identify the specific bacterial organism if possible, as more specific codes exist (e.g., for staphylococcal, streptococcal arthritis).
• This code should be used when the laterality of the knee (right or left) is not documented. If laterality is specified, use the appropriate M00.861 or M00.862 code.
• Code an additional code from B95-B97 to identify the bacterial agent, if known.