Contusion of left forearm, initial encounter

This code signifies a bruise or superficial injury to the soft tissues of the left forearm, resulting from blunt force trauma, without an open wound. It indicates damage to capillaries and other small blood vessels beneath the skin, leading to discoloration and swelling.

Apply this code for patients presenting with a closed injury to the left forearm, characterized by tenderness, ecchymosis, or hematoma, following an acute event. This is appropriate for the initial visit where the injury is first evaluated and treated.

• Ensure documentation specifies the left forearm and confirms the injury is a contusion, not an abrasion or laceration.
• Verify this is the patient's first encounter for this specific injury; subsequent encounters would require a different seventh character.
• Look for associated injuries, such as fractures, which would be coded separately.