ICD-10 Code M00.049 – Staphylococcal arthritis, unspecified hand (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.049 – Staphylococcal arthritis, unspecified hand
What it is
M00.049 identifies a staphylococcal infection of the hand joint when the affected hand joint is not specified. Use it for septic arthritis caused by Staphylococcus when documentation does not name the exact hand joint.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include a painful, swollen, warm hand joint with limited motion and tenderness. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the exact joint involved and any confirmed staphylococcal cause.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents staphylococcal arthritis affecting the hand but does not identify a specific joint such as a finger, wrist, or carpometacarpal joint. It also fits when the hand joint is documented as unspecified. If the record names a different organism or a noninfectious arthritis, choose another code.
Do not use for
Do not use it for arthritis of a specific hand joint when documentation supports a more precise code. Do not assign it for nonstaphylococcal, traumatic, or chronic noninfectious arthritis.
Coding tip
Review the organism and anatomic site together; if the hand joint is not specified, M00.049 is the correct unspecified option.