ICD-10 Code M00.06 – Staphylococcal arthritis, knee (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.06 – Staphylococcal arthritis, knee
What it is
M00.06 identifies a staphylococcal infection of the knee joint causing septic arthritis. Use it when documentation specifies Staphylococcus as the organism and the knee is the affected joint.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include acute knee pain, swelling, warmth, limited range of motion, and joint effusion. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use M00.06 when the provider documents staphylococcal septic arthritis involving the knee, whether confirmed by culture or clearly stated in the record. It is appropriate for inpatient, outpatient, or consult notes that identify the organism and joint. Check documentation if the record names only “infectious arthritis” without the organism.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for noninfectious arthritis, osteoarthritis, or pain alone. Also avoid it when the organism is not specified as staphylococcal; check documentation.
Coding tip
Code the organism and joint exactly as documented, and verify whether a more specific staphylococcal code is supported.