Bursitis of unspecified shoulder

This code signifies inflammation of the bursa in the shoulder joint, where the specific bursa affected is not documented. It presents as shoulder pain, tenderness, and restricted range of motion due to fluid accumulation and swelling within the bursal sac. This condition is often a result of repetitive motion, trauma, or underlying inflammatory processes.

Use this code when the medical record clearly indicates bursitis of the shoulder, but the physician's documentation does not specify which particular bursa (e.g., subacromial, subdeltoid) is inflamed. This code is appropriate when the diagnosis is simply "shoulder bursitis" without further anatomical detail. Documentation should support the diagnosis of bursitis, such as physical exam findings, imaging reports (if performed), and patient symptoms.

• Avoid using this code if the documentation specifies a particular bursa (e.g., subacromial bursitis); instead, use the more specific code.
• Do not use this code for other shoulder conditions like tendinitis or impingement syndrome; these have distinct codes.
• Query the provider if the documentation is unclear regarding the specific bursa involved, to allow for more precise coding.