Displ pilon fx unsp tibia, 7thN

This code describes a specific type of ankle fracture, known as a pilon fracture, affecting the lower end of the tibia. It indicates that the bone fragments are not in their normal alignment (displaced) and that the fracture was initially an open fracture (meaning the skin was broken) of a severe type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC). Furthermore, the fracture has failed to heal properly, resulting in a nonunion.

Use this code for a patient presenting for follow-up care of a previously treated displaced pilon fracture of the tibia that was an open fracture (type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) and has now been diagnosed with a nonunion. This code is appropriate for subsequent encounters after the initial treatment of the acute fracture.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "displaced" and "nonunion" for the pilon fracture.
• Verify the original fracture was an open fracture classified as type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC.
• This code is for subsequent encounters, not the initial treatment of the acute fracture.