ICD-10 Code M00.139 – Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified wrist (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.139 – Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified wrist
What it is
This code identifies a pneumococcal infection of the wrist joint causing septic arthritis, with the wrist side not specified. Use it when Streptococcus pneumoniae is documented as the cause and laterality is not stated.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include an acutely painful, swollen, warm wrist with limited range of motion. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for confirmed joint involvement and organism identification.
When to use this code
Use M00.139 when the provider documents pneumococcal arthritis affecting the wrist and does not specify right or left. It is appropriate for confirmed septic arthritis due to pneumococcus, including cases diagnosed from synovial fluid, culture, or clear clinical documentation. Check documentation if the organism or joint is uncertain.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for noninfectious wrist arthritis, gout, or arthritis caused by another organism. If the wrist laterality is documented, use the specified code instead.
Coding tip
Verify both the organism and the wrist laterality before assigning M00.139.