Nondisp spiral fx shaft of l fibula, 7thC

This code describes a fracture of the left fibula, specifically a spiral break in the shaft of the bone, where the bone fragments remain in their normal anatomical alignment. It indicates that the fracture is an open injury, meaning the skin and soft tissues have been compromised, and is classified as a severe open fracture (Gustilo-Anderson type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC). This is the initial encounter for treatment of this specific injury.

Use this code for a patient presenting for the first time with a newly diagnosed, non-displaced spiral fracture of the left fibular shaft that has broken through the skin. This applies when the orthopedic surgeon documents the open nature of the fracture and specifies it as a Gustilo-Anderson type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. This code is appropriate for the initial surgical or non-surgical management of the fracture.

• Confirm documentation explicitly states "nondisplaced" and "spiral fracture of shaft" of the left fibula.
• Verify the open fracture type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) is clearly documented by the provider.
• Ensure this is the patient's initial encounter for this specific injury; subsequent care will require a different encounter character.