Nondisp longitud fx l patella, 7thN

This code describes a situation where a patient has a non-displaced fracture of the left patella that runs lengthwise, and they are receiving ongoing treatment for this injury. Crucially, the initial fracture was an open fracture of a severe type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC), and the bone has failed to heal properly, resulting in a nonunion.

Use this code for follow-up encounters when a patient with a previously diagnosed nondisplaced longitudinal open fracture (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) of the left patella is being treated for a confirmed nonunion. This applies to visits for cast changes, wound care, physical therapy, or surgical planning related to the nonunion.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" and specifies the "left patella" and "nondisplaced longitudinal" fracture type.
• Verify that the initial injury was indeed an "open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC" as this is a specific requirement for the code.
• This code is for subsequent encounters; an initial encounter for the fracture would use a different code.