Other infective (teno)synovitis, unspecified site

This code signifies inflammation of a tendon and its surrounding synovial sheath, or inflammation of the synovial membrane of a joint, that is caused by an infection. The specific anatomical location of this infective process is not documented or is unknown.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates infective tenosynovitis or synovitis, but the physician has not specified the affected body site. This code is appropriate when the infection is confirmed or highly suspected, and further specificity regarding location is unavailable at the time of coding.

• Do not use this code if the specific site of infective tenosynovitis or synovitis is documented; instead, use a more specific M65.1- subcategory.
• Always sequence an underlying infectious organism code (e.g., B95-B97) as a secondary diagnosis, if known.
• Distinguish from non-infective tenosynovitis (M65.8-) or synovitis (M65.9-) when the infection is explicitly ruled out.