Orthopedic Coding Alert

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Which Code Describes an Osteochondral Fx?

Question: Which ICD9 Code should we report for an osteochondral fracture of a tarsal bone of the foot?


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Answer: You should report 825.29 (Fracture of other tarsal and metatarsal bones, closed; other).

An osteochondral fracture involves a fracture of bone and cartilage. ICD-9 does not include a specific code for this type of fracture, nor is there a code for the fracture of cartilage, other than a meniscus tear.
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