Displaced trimalleolar fracture of unsp lower leg, sequela

This code signifies a past trimalleolar fracture of the ankle, involving the medial, lateral, and posterior malleoli, where the bone fragments were not in their normal anatomical alignment. The "sequela" designation indicates that this code is used for conditions or complications arising directly from the previous fracture, rather than the acute injury itself.

Use this code when documenting long-term effects or complications directly attributable to a previously displaced trimalleolar fracture of an unspecified lower leg. This includes chronic pain, nonunion, malunion, post-traumatic arthritis, or other residual issues after the initial healing phase. It should not be used for the initial acute fracture treatment.

• Always assign a "sequela" code when the patient is presenting for treatment of a complication or residual effect of a past injury.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the previous displaced trimalleolar fracture.
• Do not use this code for the initial encounter of the acute fracture; instead, use the appropriate acute fracture code.