Colles' fracture of left radius, sequela

This code signifies a Colles' fracture affecting the left radius, where the patient is experiencing a long-term complication or residual effect from the original injury. This indicates that the initial healing process is complete, but the patient continues to suffer from issues directly attributable to the past fracture.

Use this code for patients presenting with chronic pain, limited range of motion, deformity, nonunion, malunion, or other persistent problems in the left wrist that are documented as a direct result of a previously sustained Colles' fracture. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters after the initial fracture has healed and treatment for the acute injury is no longer ongoing.

• Always ensure documentation clearly links the current sequela to the past Colles' fracture of the left radius.
• This code requires a seventh character "S" for sequela, indicating a late effect.
• Do not use this code for the initial treatment of an acute Colles' fracture; use the appropriate acute fracture code instead.