Major osseous defect, right lower leg

This code signifies a significant structural deficiency in the bone of the right lower leg, such as a large gap or absence of bone tissue. This defect can result from trauma, infection, tumor resection, or congenital anomalies, leading to compromised skeletal integrity.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a substantial bone defect in the right tibia or fibula. This typically involves cases requiring bone grafting, reconstructive surgery, or prosthetic fitting due to the extent of bone loss. Supporting documentation should specify the location and magnitude of the osseous defect.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "major" to differentiate from minor defects, which may not be separately codable or may fall under other codes.
• Verify laterality (right lower leg) is explicitly stated; do not assume based on other diagnoses.
• Code any underlying cause of the defect (e.g., fracture nonunion, osteomyelitis, tumor) as a primary diagnosis if applicable, with this code as a secondary diagnosis.