Other specified arthritis, unspecified wrist

This code signifies a form of arthritis affecting the wrist that does not fit into more specific categories of inflammatory or degenerative joint disease. It indicates the presence of arthritic changes in the wrist joint, but the precise etiology or type of arthritis is not fully identified.

Use this code when documentation clearly states "other specified arthritis" of the wrist, or when the provider diagnoses arthritis of the wrist but the specific type (e.g., rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic) is not documented or is atypical. This code is appropriate when the physician has ruled out more common forms of arthritis but has not definitively identified a specific, classifiable type.

• Avoid using this code if a more specific arthritis diagnosis (e.g., M19.031 for primary osteoarthritis, right wrist) is documented.
• Query the provider for greater specificity if the documentation only states "wrist arthritis" without further detail, to determine if a more precise code can be assigned.
• This code is for an unspecified laterality of the wrist; if the laterality is known, a more specific code (e.g., M13.831, M13.832) should be used.