M00-M03: Infectious arthropathies

M03: Postinfective and reactive arthropathies in diseases classified elsewhere

Postinfective and reactive arthropathies are a group of conditions that primarily affect the joints, caused by an infection or due to an immune system reaction to an infection present elsewhere in the body. The conditions typically occur after, not during, an infection. These conditions are an indirect response to an infection, meaning the infection isn't in the joint but in another part of the body. Several types of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens can cause these infections, which may then lead to joint inflammation, pain, and swelling. Symptoms of these arthropathies generally involve joint stiffness, tenderness, and may also lead to reduction in joint mobility. The progression and severity of these conditions can vary greatly, depending on the associated disease triggering the condition, the individual's immune response, and other factors like age and overall health.