Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, unspecified hand

This code signifies inflammation of a bursa in an unspecified hand, not attributable to a specific, more precisely defined bursitis type. It indicates a general bursal inflammation in the hand region when the exact location or specific etiology is not documented or classifiable elsewhere.

Use this code when documentation indicates bursitis of the hand without further specification of the exact bursa involved (e.g., carpal bursa, metacarpal bursa) or a more specific cause. This code is appropriate when the physician's notes simply state "hand bursitis" or "bursitis of unspecified hand" and no other ICD-10-CM code for bursitis is more fitting.

• Avoid using this code if a more specific anatomical site within the hand (e.g., wrist, finger) or a specific type of bursitis (e.g., olecranon bursitis, prepatellar bursitis) is documented.
• Query the provider for a more specific location of the bursitis within the hand if possible, to allow for more precise coding.
• This code is for an unspecified hand; if the laterality (right or left) is known, a more specific code (M71.541 or M71.542) should be used.