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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Count Any Two Malleoli as Bimalleolar

Published on Mon Aug 13, 2012

Question: Can you please help us to report the following procedure? DIAGNOSES: Fracture dislocation of right ankle with posterior and lateral malleolar fractures, deltoid ligament rupture, and encroachment on the ankle joint with lateral displacement of the talus. OPERATIONS: Open reduction and internal fixation of lateral malleolar fracture Open reduction and repair of deltoid ligament with reduction of ankle joint talus and tibial malleolar mortise The operative note read as below: "A longitudinal incision was then made on the lateral aspect of the ankle along the lateral aspect of the fibula extending approximately 10 cm proximally from the distal tip of the lateral malleolus. Going down to the subcutaneous layer, the bleeders were clamped. The fracture was clearly identified and appeared to be more of a Weber B type fracture. Attempted reduction of this was difficult and to some degree unsuccessful. Although the fracture line could be lined up, the [...]
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