Burn of third degree of left shoulder, sequela

This code signifies a third-degree burn affecting the left shoulder, specifically indicating a long-term complication or residual effect of the initial injury. A third-degree burn involves full-thickness skin destruction, often extending into subcutaneous tissue, and sequelae can include scarring, contractures, or chronic pain.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current condition directly resulting from a previously sustained third-degree burn to the left shoulder. This is appropriate for follow-up encounters addressing the ongoing management of burn-related complications, such as scar revision or treatment of limited range of motion.

• Always assign an external cause code (V00-Y99) to describe the circumstances of the original burn injury, if known and applicable.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the prior third-degree burn of the left shoulder.
• This "S" seventh character indicates sequela and should be used for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of a previous injury, after the acute phase of the burn has healed.