Displ osteochon fx unsp patella, 7thR

This code signifies a displaced fracture involving both bone and cartilage of the kneecap, where the specific patella (left or right) is not documented. It indicates that the patient is in a subsequent phase of care for a severe open fracture (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) that has healed improperly, resulting in malunion.

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters when a patient with a previously treated, severe open osteochondral patellar fracture (of an unspecified side) presents with complications related to malunion. It should be used when the initial injury was a high-energy open fracture with significant soft tissue damage or bone loss, and the healing process has resulted in an anatomical deformity.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "malunion" and specifies the open fracture type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC).
• This code is for subsequent encounters; do not use for initial treatment of the fracture.
• Verify that the laterality of the patella is truly unspecified in the medical record before applying this code.