Wiki subacute fracture

[Jamie Dezenzo]

Hello all,

Can someone clear up for me subacute fracture Dx coding (acute on chronic fracture) of the scaphoid....

814.01 only or 814.01 and 733.19

Thanks!
Jamie

 

[coderguy1939]

The definition in ICD-9 for 733.1x is a fracture due to bone structure weakening by pathological processes (eg, osteoporosis, neoplasms and osteomalacia). So if your chronic fracture is the result of a pathological process, I'd say that the 733.1x codes would apply. If the chronic fracture was the result of an acute injury and has not healed/mended, I'd say you were looking at 733.82 non-union of fracture. Having said that, I don't know if this is the answer to subacute fracture coding.

Just an addition to the above, the definition in Dorland's for subacute is: Somewhat acute; between acute and chronic.