Contusion of unspecified wrist, initial encounter

This code signifies a bruise or superficial injury to the wrist area where the skin is not broken, typically resulting from blunt force trauma. It indicates damage to the underlying soft tissues such as muscle, fat, and blood vessels, causing pain, swelling, and discoloration.

This code is appropriate for documenting the initial presentation and treatment of a wrist contusion, such as after a fall, direct impact, or sports injury. It should be used when the specific wrist (left or right) is not documented or is unknown.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "contusion" and specifies the wrist as the affected body part.
• Verify that there is no open wound, fracture, or dislocation, as these would require different codes.
• Confirm this is the patient's first encounter for this specific injury; subsequent encounters would use a different seventh character.