Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, unsp elbow

This code signifies a chronic inflammatory joint disease affecting children, specifically involving four or fewer joints (pauciarticular) and impacting an unspecified elbow. It is a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) characterized by persistent synovitis.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a diagnosis of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and the affected joint is identified as the elbow, but the specific laterality (right or left) is not documented. This diagnosis is typically made by a pediatric rheumatologist based on clinical findings and exclusion of other conditions.

• Ensure the documentation clearly states "pauciarticular" and specifies the elbow as the affected joint.
• If laterality (right or left elbow) is documented, a more specific code from the M08.42- subcategory should be used.
• Do not use this code for other forms of JIA (e.g., polyarticular, systemic) or for adult rheumatoid arthritis.