Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, right elbow

This code signifies a chronic inflammatory joint disease affecting four or fewer joints, specifically located in the right elbow, with onset before 16 years of age. It is a subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis characterized by persistent synovitis.

This code is appropriate when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affecting only the right elbow. Supporting documentation should include a physician's diagnosis, joint examination findings, and potentially laboratory results ruling out other conditions.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "pauciarticular" and specifies the "right elbow" as the affected joint.
• Distinguish from polyarticular forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which involve five or more joints.
• Verify the patient's age at onset to confirm it meets the criteria for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.