Contusion of urethra, initial encounter

This code signifies a bruise or blunt injury to the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. This injury does not involve a laceration or rupture, but rather damage to the soft tissues of the urethral wall.

Use this code for the initial treatment of a patient presenting with symptoms such as dysuria, hematuria, or perineal pain following trauma to the pelvic or genital area, where diagnostic imaging or examination confirms a contusion of the urethra without a tear. This applies to the first time the patient is seen for this specific injury.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies a contusion and not a laceration or rupture, which would require different codes.
• Verify that this is indeed the initial encounter for the injury; subsequent encounters would use a different seventh character.
• Look for associated injuries to the bladder, pelvis, or external genitalia, and code them separately if present.