Sltr-haris Type III physeal fx lower end of left tibia, init

This code signifies a specific growth plate fracture in the left lower shin bone, where the fracture line extends from the growth plate through the end of the bone into the joint. This type of Salter-Harris fracture (Type III) involves both the physis and the epiphysis, but not the metaphysis.

This code is appropriate for the initial treatment of a patient presenting with a closed Salter-Harris Type III fracture of the distal left tibia. This typically occurs in pediatric or adolescent patients due to trauma, such as a fall or sports injury, where the skin remains intact over the fracture site.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "Salter-Harris Type III" and "left tibia" to support this code.
• Verify the encounter is for the initial treatment of the fracture; subsequent encounters will use different seventh characters.
• Confirm the fracture is "closed" (skin intact) as open fractures have distinct coding.