Wiki Fracture A or D

[LLRodgers]

Hello,

If a patient is seen for an OV and diagnosis is Leg Pain, they are sent for an MRI and on the next OV it is determined they have a Fracture do you use and A or D after the fracture code? Since this is the second time we have seen them for the same leg would you use a D (subsequent visit) or do you use and A for initial visit.

Thank You,
LLR

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

The A and D have nothing to do with how many times the patient has been seen. Use A as long as the fracture is actively being treated such as ORIF or closed reduction. After the definitive treatment, then switch to D to indicate that the patient is in the healing phase.