Fracture of alveolus of right mandible, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect resulting from a fracture of the alveolar process of the right mandible. It indicates that the initial fracture has healed, but residual issues related to that injury persist. These sequelae can include malunion, nonunion, chronic pain, nerve damage, or functional impairment.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current condition directly attributable to a previously sustained fracture of the right mandibular alveolus. Documentation should clearly state that the current issue is a "sequela" or "late effect" of the prior fracture. This code is appropriate for follow-up visits addressing these chronic complications, not for the initial acute fracture treatment.

• Always sequence this sequela code first, followed by a code describing the specific nature of the sequela (e.g., M26.211 for malocclusion due to alveolar anomaly).
• Ensure documentation explicitly links the current condition to the prior right mandibular alveolar fracture.
• Do not use this code for active, acute, or subacute fractures; those require acute fracture codes with appropriate seventh characters.