Posterior dislocation of unspecified hip, initial encounter

This code signifies a posterior displacement of the femoral head from the acetabulum, affecting an unspecified hip. This injury typically results from significant trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, where the hip is flexed, adducted, and internally rotated at the moment of impact.

Use this code for the initial treatment of a patient presenting with a newly diagnosed posterior hip dislocation where the laterality (left or right) of the affected hip is not documented. This applies to emergency department visits, initial orthopedic consultations, or inpatient admissions for the acute injury.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "posterior" dislocation; otherwise, an unspecified dislocation code may be more appropriate.
• Only use the "A" seventh character for the initial encounter for active treatment of the dislocation.
• If laterality is specified (left or right), select the more specific code (S73.011A or S73.012A).