ICD-10 Code A18.03 – Tuberculosis of other bones (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A18.03 – Tuberculosis of other bones
What it is
A18.03 identifies tuberculosis infection involving bones other than the spine or hip. Use it when documentation shows skeletal TB in another bone site, such as the ribs, skull, or long bones.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings may include localized bone pain, swelling, tenderness, or radiographic evidence of destructive bone infection consistent with tuberculosis.
When to use this code
Use A18.03 when the provider documents tuberculosis affecting a specific bone outside the spine or hip. It may also apply when imaging, biopsy, or pathology confirms tuberculous osteitis at another skeletal site.
If the record only says “bone tuberculosis” without site detail, check documentation to confirm that the affected bone is not better classified elsewhere.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for tuberculosis of the spine or hip, which are coded separately. Also avoid it when the record describes pulmonary TB only or another non-bony TB site.
Coding tip
Confirm the exact bone involved and whether the infection is primary or part of generalized tuberculosis before assigning A18.03.