Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: What is the difference between traumatic and non-traumatic compartment syndrome?

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: The ICD-9 manual indicates traumatic compartment syndrome is the "compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space due to previous trauma, which leads to impaired blood flow and muscle and nerve damage."

This might be a fractured bone, hard blow to the thigh, or repeated hard blows. You should report this with a 958.9x (Traumatic compartment syndrome -) code.

In contrast, nontraumatic compartment syndrome is the "compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space, leading-to impaired blood flow and muscle and nerve damage." This might include ongoing overuse, such

as during long-distance running. You should report it with 729.7x (Nontraumatic compartment syndrome -).