Type III occipital condyle fracture, unspecified side, 7thB

This code signifies a severe fracture of the occipital condyle, specifically a Type III injury, which involves an avulsion fracture where the alar ligament remains attached to the fractured fragment. The "open fracture" designation indicates a break in the skin or mucous membrane, exposing the bone to the external environment. This injury is located at the base of the skull, affecting the articulation with the cervical spine.

Apply this code for initial encounters involving a patient diagnosed with a Type III occipital condyle fracture that is explicitly documented as an open fracture. Documentation should clearly specify the fracture type (Type III), the open nature of the injury, and that this is the first time the patient is receiving active treatment for this specific fracture.

• Ensure documentation differentiates between Type I, II, and III occipital condyle fractures; this code is specific to Type III.
• Verify the "open" status of the fracture is clearly documented, as this significantly impacts code selection compared to closed fractures.
• Confirm this is an initial encounter for active treatment; subsequent encounters would require different seventh characters.