Crushing injury of finger(s)

This code signifies a severe traumatic injury to one or more fingers resulting from compression between two hard surfaces. This type of injury often involves significant soft tissue damage, bone fractures, and potential neurovascular compromise. It describes the immediate consequence of a forceful impact that crushes the digital structures.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a finger injury caused by a crushing mechanism, such as a finger caught in a door, machinery, or struck by a heavy object. Supporting documentation should detail the mechanism of injury, the specific finger(s) involved, and the extent of the damage (e.g., open wound, fracture).

• Differentiate from other finger injuries like lacerations or avulsions; the mechanism must be crushing.
• Always code any associated open wound, fracture, or nerve/vessel damage separately using appropriate codes.
• Specify laterality (left, right, or unspecified) if documented, though ICD-9-CM 927.3 does not allow for laterality.