Displ transverse fx unsp patella, 7thM

This code describes a situation where a patient has a transverse fracture of the kneecap, which is out of alignment, and the specific kneecap (left or right) is not documented. This particular encounter is for ongoing treatment of the fracture, which was initially an open fracture (meaning the skin was broken) of type I or II, and the bone fragments have failed to heal together properly (nonunion).

Use this code for follow-up encounters when a patient with a previously diagnosed displaced transverse patellar fracture (where the laterality is unknown) is being treated for a nonunion. This applies specifically when the initial injury was an open fracture classified as Type I or Type II. This code would be appropriate for subsequent clinic visits, hospital admissions for nonunion management, or surgical interventions to address the nonunion.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" and specifies the initial injury was an open fracture type I or II.
• Verify that the patella laterality (left or right) is indeed unspecified in the medical record. If specified, a more precise code should be used.
• This code requires an associated external cause code to describe the circumstances of the injury, if not already documented.