Contusion of right ear, sequela

This code signifies a bruise or injury to the right ear resulting from blunt force trauma, where the acute injury has resolved, and the current encounter is for a condition or complication arising from the initial contusion. This could include chronic pain, scarring, or deformity directly attributable to the past ear injury.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a sequela (late effect) of a contusion to the right ear. This is appropriate for follow-up encounters addressing long-term consequences of a previously sustained ear bruise, not the initial injury itself. The patient record should specify the causal link between the past contusion and the current condition.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, scar).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states the condition is a "sequela" or "late effect" of a prior right ear contusion.
• Do not use for acute contusions; those require an acute injury code with an appropriate seventh character for the encounter type.