ICD-10 Code M00.159 – Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified hip (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.159 – Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified hip
What it is
M00.159 identifies pneumococcal infection of the hip joint when the affected hip is not specified as right or left. It refers to septic arthritis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings include acute hip pain, reduced range of motion, swelling, warmth, and difficulty bearing weight, with evidence of joint infection.
When to use this code
Use M00.159 when the provider documents pneumococcal septic arthritis involving the hip and does not identify laterality. This code fits confirmed infection of the hip joint due to pneumococcus. If the record names a different organism or a different joint, choose the documented diagnosis instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for noninfectious arthritis, unspecified joint pain, or septic arthritis caused by another organism. Check documentation if the hip side is specified or if the diagnosis is not confirmed.
Coding tip
Code the organism and joint exactly as documented, and verify laterality before assigning the unspecified hip code.