Fracture of ramus of left mandible, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect resulting from a previous fracture of the ramus of the left mandible. It indicates that the initial acute injury has healed, but the patient is now experiencing residual issues directly attributable to that past fracture.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a sequela (e.g., malunion, nonunion, chronic pain, nerve damage, restricted jaw movement) arising from a healed fracture of the left mandibular ramus. This code is appropriate when the patient is no longer in the acute phase of fracture treatment but is being treated for the lasting consequences.

• Ensure documentation explicitly links the current condition to a previous fracture of the left mandibular ramus.
• Do not use for acute or initial treatment of the fracture; those require acute fracture codes.
• Always sequence the sequela code first, followed by codes for the specific manifestation of the sequela (e.g., M26.212 for malocclusion due to malunion).