Assault by knife, sequela

This code signifies a long-term consequence or complication resulting from an injury sustained during an assault involving a knife. It indicates that the patient is presenting for treatment of a condition directly attributable to a past knife assault, rather than the acute injury itself.

Apply this code when a patient seeks care for a chronic issue, such as nerve damage, scar tissue complications, chronic pain, or psychological sequelae (e.g., PTSD) that are documented as a direct result of a previous assault by a knife. This code is appropriate when the initial acute injury has healed, but its lasting effects require ongoing medical attention.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela being treated.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the past knife assault.
• Do not use for the initial acute injury or during the active healing phase of the original assault.