Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder

This diagnosis code signifies a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting four or fewer joints, specifically located in the right shoulder, and occurring in individuals under the age of 16. It represents a subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis characterized by its limited joint involvement.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affecting only the right shoulder. Supporting documentation should include a physician's diagnosis, age of onset, and confirmation of limited joint involvement (four or fewer joints), with the right shoulder being one of the affected joints.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "pauciarticular" or "oligoarticular" and clearly identifies the right shoulder as an affected joint.
• Do not use this code if more than four joints are involved; consider polyarticular codes.
• Verify laterality (right shoulder) is explicitly stated in the medical record to avoid miscoding.