Displaced spiral fracture of shaft of right tibia, sequela

This code describes a long-term complication or late effect stemming from a spiral fracture of the shaft of the right tibia, where the bone fragments were not properly aligned at the time of the initial injury. A spiral fracture indicates a twisting injury mechanism. "Sequela" implies that the acute phase of the fracture has passed, and the patient is now experiencing residual issues related to the original displaced break.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with ongoing problems, such as chronic pain, nonunion, malunion, or functional limitations, directly attributable to a previously sustained and healed (or healing with complications) displaced spiral fracture of the right tibial shaft. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters after the initial fracture treatment has concluded, and the patient is being managed for the lasting effects.

• Always assign a sequela code for conditions that are residual effects of a past injury.
• Do not use this code for the initial treatment of the acute fracture; that would require an acute fracture code.
• Consider additional codes for specific sequelae, such as M84.4xx for malunion or M84.2xx for nonunion, if applicable.