Abrasion of unspecified hand, sequela

This code signifies a superficial injury to the skin of an unspecified hand, characterized by scraping or rubbing off of the epidermis, that is now a sequela. A sequela indicates a residual effect or complication that arises directly from a previous injury or illness, even after the acute phase has resolved.

Apply this code when documenting a long-term consequence or late effect of an abrasion to an unspecified hand. This would be used when the initial abrasion has healed, but a persistent issue directly attributable to that past injury, such as scarring, chronic pain, or altered sensation, is being treated.

• Always use an external cause code (e.g., W00-Y38) in conjunction with this code to describe the circumstances of the original injury.
• Ensure documentation clearly states that the current condition is a residual effect of a previous abrasion, not an acute injury.
• If the specific hand (left or right) is known, a more specific code should be used.