Unsp fx head of r femr, 7thN

Unspecified fracture of head of right femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion

📋Clinical Description

This code signifies a persistent failure of a right femoral head fracture to heal, specifically when the initial injury was an open fracture of severe type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC). The "unspecified" nature indicates that the precise location within the femoral head is not documented, but the nonunion confirms a complicated healing process.

🎯When to Use

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters where a patient with a previously diagnosed open fracture of the right femoral head (types IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) is still experiencing nonunion. This would apply during ongoing management, evaluation for revision surgery, or monitoring of conservative treatment for the nonunion.

💡Coding Tips

Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" and specifies the initial fracture as an open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC.
Verify the laterality is explicitly documented as "right" femur.
Do not use for initial encounters or for fractures that are still in the healing phase (malunion or routine healing).

AI-generated reference — verify against official guidelines

Code Hierarchy

▲S72.051Unspecified fracture of head of right femur

S72.051N(current)

Crosswalks

733.82ApproxICD-9

Same Category

S72Fracture of femur S72.0Fracture of head and neck of femur S72.00Fracture of unspecified part of neck of femur S72.001Fracture of unspecified part of neck of right femur S72.001AFracture of unsp part of neck of right femur, init