Displ longitud fx r patella, 7thN

This code signifies a persistent failure of a displaced longitudinal fracture of the right kneecap to heal, specifically when the initial injury was an open fracture of severe type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC). This indicates a complicated healing process where the bone fragments have not united after a previous treatment attempt.

Use this code for follow-up encounters where a patient with a previously treated open, displaced longitudinal fracture of the right patella (types IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) is diagnosed with nonunion. This applies when the fracture site shows no signs of healing progression and further intervention or management for the nonunion is being provided.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "nonunion" and the original open fracture type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC).
• This code is for subsequent encounters; an initial encounter for the fracture would use a different code.
• Verify laterality (right patella) is explicitly documented.