Superficial frostbite of left ankle, initial encounter

This code signifies a superficial cold-induced injury to the left ankle, characterized by damage limited to the skin's outer layers without blistering or tissue loss. Patients typically present with numbness, tingling, and a pale, waxy appearance of the affected skin.

Apply this code for initial treatment of a patient presenting with first-degree frostbite of the left ankle. This includes emergency department visits, urgent care encounters, or the first physician office visit for this specific injury.

• Ensure documentation specifies "superficial" or "first-degree" frostbite of the left ankle.
• The "A" seventh character indicates an initial encounter for active treatment of the injury.
• Do not use for frostbite with blistering, tissue necrosis, or other deeper tissue involvement.