Displ longitud fx l patella, 7thM

This code describes a situation where a patient has a fracture running lengthwise through their left kneecap, and the broken pieces are not properly aligned. This particular encounter is for ongoing treatment of an open fracture (meaning the skin was broken) classified as Type I or II, and the bone fragments are failing to heal together as expected (nonunion).

Use this code for follow-up encounters where a patient is receiving care for a previously diagnosed displaced longitudinal fracture of the left patella that was initially an open fracture (Type I or II), and the physician documents that the fracture is not uniting. This would include scenarios such as cast changes, wound care, or evaluation for further surgical intervention due to the nonunion.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "left" patella and "longitudinal" fracture type.
• Verify the fracture was initially an "open fracture type I or II" and that "nonunion" is explicitly stated.
• This code is for subsequent encounters; an initial encounter would use a different code.