Corrosion of third degree of left thumb (nail), sequela

This code signifies a third-degree corrosion injury affecting the left thumb, including the nail, where the acute phase of the injury has passed and the patient is now presenting with a long-term complication or residual effect. Third-degree corrosion involves full-thickness tissue destruction, often leading to significant scarring, functional impairment, or other chronic issues.

Apply this code when documenting a follow-up encounter for a patient experiencing a sequela (e.g., chronic pain, contracture, non-healing ulcer, significant scarring, nail deformity) directly resulting from a previously sustained third-degree corrosion of the left thumb. This code is appropriate for late effects of chemical burns that have healed but left lasting damage.

• Always use this "S" (sequela) seventh character for complications or conditions arising as a direct result of the initial corrosion, after the acute injury has resolved.
• Do not use this code for the initial acute treatment of the third-degree corrosion; instead, use the appropriate acute injury code.
• Consider additional codes for specific sequelae (e.g., scar, contracture) to provide a comprehensive clinical picture.