Superficial foreign body of unspecified thumb, sequela

This code indicates a long-term complication or late effect resulting from a superficial foreign body in an unspecified thumb. This means the initial injury has healed, but there are ongoing issues directly attributable to the past presence of the foreign object.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current condition (e.g., chronic pain, scar tissue, nerve damage, infection) that is a direct consequence of a previously sustained superficial foreign body in the thumb. This applies when the foreign body itself is no longer present or was removed in the past, but its impact persists.

• Always sequence this code after the code describing the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, scar).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the past foreign body injury.
• Avoid using this code for acute or current foreign body encounters; those require different codes.