Other disp fx of second cervical vertebra, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect stemming from a previously sustained, displaced fracture of the second cervical vertebra (C2), excluding odontoid fractures. The patient is no longer in the acute phase of healing, but rather experiencing residual issues directly attributable to the original injury.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a sequela (e.g., chronic pain, instability, neurological deficit, nonunion, malunion) resulting from a past displaced C2 fracture. The original fracture must have been definitively diagnosed as displaced and not involving the odontoid process.

• Always use an additional code to specify the nature of the sequela (e.g., M96.0 for pseudarthrosis, G83.89 for other specified paralytic syndromes).
• Ensure the medical record explicitly links the current condition to the past C2 fracture.
• Distinguish from acute or subsequent fractures of C2, which would use different codes without the "S" seventh character.