Sprain of carpal joint of unspecified wrist, sequela

This code signifies a long-term or late-effect complication resulting from a sprain to one of the carpal joints in an unspecified wrist. It indicates that the initial injury has resolved, but the patient continues to experience residual symptoms or conditions directly attributable to that past sprain.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with chronic pain, instability, limited range of motion, or other persistent issues in the wrist, and the medical record clearly links these symptoms to a previously sustained carpal joint sprain. This applies when the acute phase of the original injury has passed, and the current encounter addresses these lasting effects.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states the current condition is a "sequela" or "late effect" of a prior carpal sprain.
• Always sequence this code after the code describing the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, instability).
• Avoid using this code for acute or subacute sprains; those require codes from the initial encounter or subsequent encounter categories.