Sprain of unsp collateral ligament of left knee, sequela

This code signifies a long-term or late effect resulting from an injury to an unspecified collateral ligament in the left knee. It indicates that the initial sprain has healed, but the patient continues to experience residual symptoms or complications directly attributable to that past injury.

Utilize this code when documenting a patient presenting with chronic pain, instability, stiffness, or other persistent issues in the left knee, where the etiology is clearly linked to a previously sustained, but now resolved, collateral ligament sprain. This applies when the acute phase of the injury has passed, and the current encounter addresses the lasting consequences.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following a primary code that describes the current manifestation of the sequela (e.g., chronic pain, instability).
• Ensure documentation clearly states the link between the current condition and the prior left knee collateral ligament sprain.
• Do not use this code for acute or subacute sprains; those require codes from the initial encounter or subsequent encounter categories.