Nondisplaced comminuted fracture of unsp patella, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or residual effect stemming from a comminuted fracture of the patella that was not displaced at the time of injury. A comminuted fracture means the bone was broken into three or more pieces. "Sequela" indicates that the current encounter is for a condition resulting from the initial fracture, rather than the acute injury itself.

Use this code when documenting follow-up care for a patient experiencing ongoing issues directly attributable to a previously sustained nondisplaced comminuted patellar fracture. This could include chronic pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, or other functional impairments after the initial healing period. It is appropriate when the acute phase of the fracture has passed and the patient is being treated for the lasting effects.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, osteoarthritis).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the previous nondisplaced comminuted patellar fracture.
• Verify that the fracture was explicitly documented as "nondisplaced" and "comminuted" in the patient's history.