Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, unsp hip

This code signifies a chronic inflammatory joint disease affecting four or fewer joints, specifically involving an unspecified hip joint, in a patient under 16 years of age. It represents a subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis characterized by oligoarticular involvement.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a diagnosis of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and the affected joint is identified as the hip, without further specification of laterality (left or right). This diagnosis is typically made by a pediatric rheumatologist based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and exclusion of other conditions.

• Ensure the documentation clearly states "pauciarticular" or "oligoarticular" and specifies hip involvement.
• If laterality (left or right hip) is documented, a more specific code should be used (M08.451 or M08.452).
• Do not use this code if more than four joints are affected; consider codes for polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.