Open fracture of acetabulum

This code signifies a fracture of the acetabulum, the socket of the hip bone, where the skin and underlying soft tissue are broken, exposing the bone to the external environment. This type of injury carries a higher risk of infection compared to a closed fracture due to the direct communication with the outside.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states an "open" fracture of the acetabulum, often resulting from high-impact trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from significant heights. The physician's notes should clearly indicate the presence of an open wound communicating with the fracture site.

• Differentiate carefully between "open" and "closed" fractures; documentation must specify "open" for this code.
• Always code any associated external wounds or infections separately, as appropriate.
• Review the operative report or emergency department notes for details on the fracture type and whether it was open or closed.