Displaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, sequela

This code signifies a past injury involving a fracture of the radial head that was displaced at the time of the initial injury, where the specific side (left or right) of the body is not documented. The "sequela" seventh character indicates that this code is used for complications or conditions arising as a direct result of the original fracture, long after the acute phase of healing.

Apply this code when documenting chronic pain, limited range of motion, nonunion, malunion, or other long-term issues directly attributable to a previously displaced, unspecified radial head fracture. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters when the initial fracture has healed, but the patient is experiencing residual problems. It should not be used for the initial acute injury or for routine follow-up without documented sequelae.

• Always ensure the "sequela" seventh character (S) is appropriate for the patient's current condition and the timing of the encounter.
• Confirm that the documentation explicitly states the fracture was "displaced" and that the specific side of the radius is not identified.
• Pair this code with an external cause code if the cause of the original injury is relevant to the current sequela.