Displ seg fx shaft of ulna, l arm, 7thC

This code signifies a fracture of the ulna's shaft in the left arm, where the bone is broken into at least three pieces (segmental) and the broken ends are not properly aligned (displaced). Crucially, this is an open fracture, meaning the skin and soft tissues are also compromised, exposing the bone to the outside environment, and it is the initial treatment encounter.

This code is appropriate for the initial inpatient or outpatient encounter for a patient presenting with a left ulna shaft fracture that is both segmental and displaced, and where the fracture is classified as an open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. This would include scenarios requiring initial surgical intervention, debridement, or stabilization.

• Always verify the laterality (left arm) and the specific type of open fracture (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) from the physician's documentation.
• Ensure the documentation clearly states "segmental" and "displaced" for the ulna shaft fracture.
• This "C" extension indicates an initial encounter for an open fracture; subsequent encounters will require different seventh characters.