Nondisp fx of capitate bone, left wrist, init for opn fx

This code signifies a fracture of the capitate bone in the left wrist that has not been displaced from its normal anatomical position. The "open fracture" designation indicates that the skin and soft tissue overlying the fracture site have been compromised, creating a pathway for potential infection. This is an initial encounter for treatment of the injury.

Use this code for patients presenting with a newly diagnosed, non-displaced fracture of the left capitate bone where the skin integrity has been broken. This would typically be documented in the emergency department or initial orthopedic consultation notes. It is appropriate for the initial phase of treatment, including surgical repair or casting.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "nondisplaced" and "open fracture" for the left capitate.
• Verify the encounter is truly "initial" for this specific injury; subsequent encounters will use different seventh characters.
• Always look for associated external cause codes (V, W, X, Y codes) to provide a complete picture of the injury.