ICD 10 Coding Alert

Question: Noted indicate that the orthopedist treated a patient with a closed oblique fracture of the fibula shaft. What is the appropriate diagnosis code for this injury?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: You'll need a few more pieces of information in order to choose the most accurate ICD-10 code possible for your patient's injury. Get these questions answered by the orthopedist first. Then, you can choose from the ICD-10 codes listed below.

1. Did the patient suffer this injury on his right or left fibula?
2. Was the fracture displaced or nondisplaced?
3. Is this the first encounter for the treatment of this fracture?
4. If no to No. 3, what is the state of the healing and union of the fracture?

Once you get these questions answered, you'll choose one of the six-character codes below:

• S82.431- -  Displaced oblique fracture of shaft of right fibula
• S82.432- - Displaced oblique fracture of shaft of left fibula
• S82.433- - Displaced oblique fracture of shaft of unspecified fibula
• S82.434- - Nondisplaced oblique fracture of shaft of right fibula
• S82.435- - Nondisplaced oblique fracture of shaft of left fibula
• S82.436- - Nondisplaced oblique fracture of shaft of unspecified fibula.

Don't forget: Then, you'll append one of the following seventh characters, depending on encounter specifics:

• A - Initial encounter for closed fracture
• D - Subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
• G - Subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
• K - Subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
• P - Subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion
• S - Sequela.