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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code M02

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M02

Postinfective and reactive arthropathies

ICD-10-CM Code:
M02
ICD-10 Code for:
Postinfective and reactive arthropathies
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

M02 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of postinfective and reactive arthropathies. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Postinfective and reactive arthropathies

Non-specific codes like M02 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for postinfective and reactive arthropathies:

  • M02.0 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass

  • Use M02.00 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, unspecified site

  • M02.01 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, shoulder

  • M02.02 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, elbow

  • M02.03 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, wrist

  • M02.04 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, hand

  • M02.05 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, hip

  • M02.06 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, knee

  • M02.07 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, ankle and foot

  • Use M02.08 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, vertebrae

  • Use M02.09 for Arthropathy following intestinal bypass, multiple sites

  • M02.1 for Postdysenteric arthropathy

  • Use M02.10 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, unspecified site

  • M02.11 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, shoulder

  • M02.12 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, elbow

  • M02.13 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, wrist

  • M02.14 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, hand

  • M02.15 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, hip

  • M02.16 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, knee

  • M02.17 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, ankle and foot

  • Use M02.18 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, vertebrae

  • Use M02.19 for Postdysenteric arthropathy, multiple sites

  • M02.2 for Postimmunization arthropathy

  • Use M02.20 for Postimmunization arthropathy, unspecified site

  • M02.21 for Postimmunization arthropathy, shoulder

  • M02.22 for Postimmunization arthropathy, elbow

  • M02.23 for Postimmunization arthropathy, wrist

  • M02.24 for Postimmunization arthropathy, hand

  • M02.25 for Postimmunization arthropathy, hip

  • M02.26 for Postimmunization arthropathy, knee

  • M02.27 for Postimmunization arthropathy, ankle and foot

  • Use M02.28 for Postimmunization arthropathy, vertebrae

  • Use M02.29 for Postimmunization arthropathy, multiple sites

  • M02.3 for Reiter's disease

  • Use M02.30 for Reiter's disease, unspecified site

  • M02.31 for Reiter's disease, shoulder

  • M02.32 for Reiter's disease, elbow

  • M02.33 for Reiter's disease, wrist

  • M02.34 for Reiter's disease, hand

  • M02.35 for Reiter's disease, hip

  • M02.36 for Reiter's disease, knee

  • M02.37 for Reiter's disease, ankle and foot

  • Use M02.38 for Reiter's disease, vertebrae

  • Use M02.39 for Reiter's disease, multiple sites

  • M02.8 for Other reactive arthropathies

  • Use M02.80 for Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified site

  • M02.81 for Other reactive arthropathies, shoulder

  • M02.82 for Other reactive arthropathies, elbow

  • M02.83 for Other reactive arthropathies, wrist

  • M02.84 for Other reactive arthropathies, hand

  • M02.85 for Other reactive arthropathies, hip

  • M02.86 for Other reactive arthropathies, knee

  • M02.87 for Other reactive arthropathies, ankle and foot

  • Use M02.88 for Other reactive arthropathies, vertebrae

  • Use M02.89 for Other reactive arthropathies, multiple sites

  • Use M02.9 for Reactive arthropathy, unspecified

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
    M00–M99
    • Infectious arthropathies
      M00-M02
      • Postinfective and reactive arthropathies
        M02

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Code First

Code First
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
  • underlying disease, such as:
  • congenital syphilis Clutton's joints A50.5
  • enteritis due to Yersinia enterocolitica A04.6
  • infective endocarditis I33.0
  • viral hepatitis B15 B19

Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • Behçet's disease M35.2
  • direct infections of joint in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere M01
  • postmeningococcal arthritis A39.84
  • mumps arthritis B26.85
  • rubella arthritis B06.82
  • syphilis arthritis late A52.77
  • rheumatic fever I00
  • tabetic arthropathy Charcôt's A52.16

Patient Education


Arthritis

What is arthritis?

If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Any disorder that affects the joints is often called arthritis. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee.

Most types of arthritis can cause joint pain and inflammation (swelling). Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause problems in your organs, such as your eyes or skin. Treatment will depend on the type of arthritis you have.

What are the types of arthritis?

Common types of arthritis include:

  • Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It's often related to aging or injury.
  • Autoimmune arthritis happens when your body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of this type of arthritis.
  • Juvenile arthritis is a type of arthritis that happens in children.
  • Infectious arthritis is an infection that has spread from another part of your body to the joint. Reactive arthritis is one type.
  • Psoriatic arthritis affects people with psoriasis (itchy or sore scaly red and white skin patches).
  • Gout is a painful type of arthritis that happens when too much uric acid builds up in your body. It often starts in the big toe. Other joints can also be affected.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine that can cause stiffness and make it difficult to move and bend.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Pain, redness, warmth, and joint inflammation are common arthritis symptoms. You may not be able to move your joint as well as it should. Other symptoms could include fever, weight loss, breathing difficulties, or a rash.

Symptoms often get worse as you age. Some symptoms of arthritis may be signs of other illnesses.

Who is more likely to get arthritis?

A few things that might increase your chance of getting arthritis include:

  • Family history. You may be more likely to get certain types of arthritis if a member of your family has the disorder.
  • Age. The risk of getting many types of arthritis increases with age.
  • Sex. Certain types of arthritis are more common in women, while other types are more common in men.

Other factors that might increase your risk of getting arthritis include having a previous joint injury, obesity, or lupus.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

To find out if you have arthritis, your health care provider may:

  • Ask you about your medical history, including your symptoms.
  • Do a physical exam.
  • Order blood tests or take x-rays.

Your provider may refer you to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in arthritis care) for tests, diagnosis, and care.

What are the treatments for arthritis?

Treatment depends on the type of arthritis you have. It may include medicine or surgery. Your provider will work with you to improve your symptoms and quality of life.

A few ways to help manage your symptoms include:

  • Hot or cold packs
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Use of splints, braces, and/or assistive devices

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Infectious Arthritis

Most kinds of arthritis cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Infectious arthritis is an infection in the joint. The infection comes from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that spreads from another part of the body. Symptoms of infectious arthritis include:

  • Intense pain in the joint
  • Joint redness and swelling
  • Chills and fever
  • Inability to move the area with the infected joint

One type of infectious arthritis is reactive arthritis. The reaction is to an infection somewhere else in your body. The joint is usually the knee, ankle, or toe. Sometimes, reactive arthritis is set off by an infection in the bladder, or in the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. In women, an infection in the vagina can cause the reaction. For both men and women, it can start with bacteria passed on during sex. Another form of reactive arthritis starts with eating food or handling something that has bacteria on it.

To diagnose infectious arthritis, your health care provider may do tests of your blood, urine, and joint fluid. Treatment includes medicines and sometimes surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.