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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Target Symptoms to Assign Dx Code

Published on Thu Jul 01, 2010

Question: Which diagnosis code should I use when my orthopedist's documentation indicates the patient has a "subluxating ulnar nerve"?Missouri SubscriberAnswer: According to Stedman's Medical Dictionary, a subluxation is an incomplete dislocation. In this particular case, "subluxating ulnar nerve" indicates that the ulnar nerve is slipping out of the groove in which it usually rides.To report this condition, rely on the patient's signs and/or symptoms. For example, if the subluxation causes ulnar nerve inflammation, report 729.2 (Neuralgia, neuritis, and radiculitis, unspecified). If the nerve isn't inflamed, but the patient has pain, you may need to use 354.2 (Mononeuritis of upper limb and mononeuritis multiplex; lesion of ulnar nerve).
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