Displ transverse fx unsp patella, 7thR

This code describes a situation where a patient has a previously treated, displaced transverse fracture of the patella that was an open fracture (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC), and has now healed incorrectly, resulting in malunion. This indicates a complication of the healing process following the initial injury and subsequent surgical intervention.

Use this code for follow-up encounters where documentation confirms a malunion of a previously treated displaced transverse patellar fracture that was initially an open fracture of specified severity. This would typically be seen in orthopedic clinics during post-operative follow-up or when evaluating persistent symptoms related to the improperly healed fracture.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "malunion" and specifies the original fracture was an "open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC."
• Verify that the encounter is for a "subsequent encounter" related to the healing of the fracture, not the initial treatment.
• Confirm the fracture is of the "transverse" type and involves the "patella."