Displ commnt fx shaft of l tibia, 7thQ

This code describes a tibia fracture on the left side that has broken into multiple pieces (comminuted) and is no longer in its normal alignment (displaced). This specific code is used during a follow-up visit for an open fracture, meaning the skin was broken at the time of injury, and the bone has healed in an incorrect position (malunion).

This code is appropriate for subsequent encounters when a patient is being treated for complications arising from a previously sustained open comminuted fracture of the left tibial shaft. It specifically applies when malunion has occurred, indicating the bone has healed improperly, and the initial open fracture was classified as Type I or II.

• Ensure documentation specifies "left" tibia and "comminuted" fracture.
• Confirm the encounter is "subsequent" and the original injury was an "open fracture type I or II" with documented "malunion."
• Do not use for initial encounters or if the fracture is not displaced or comminuted.