Unsp fx low end unsp femr, 7thJ

Unspecified fracture of lower end of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing

📋Clinical Description

This code signifies a follow-up encounter for an open fracture of the lower end of the femur, where the specific location of the fracture is not documented. The fracture is characterized as a severe open injury (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) and is experiencing delayed healing.

🎯When to Use

Use this code when a patient presents for ongoing management of a previously diagnosed open distal femoral fracture that is not healing as expected. This applies to situations where the initial injury was severe, involving significant soft tissue damage and exposure of the bone, and the precise location of the fracture within the lower femur is not specified in the current documentation.

💡Coding Tips

Ensure documentation clearly states "delayed healing" for the open fracture.
Verify the open fracture type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) is explicitly mentioned or can be reasonably inferred from the clinical notes.
Confirm this is a subsequent encounter, not the initial treatment for the fracture.

AI-generated reference — verify against official guidelines

Code Hierarchy

▲S72.409Unspecified fracture of lower end of unspecified femur

S72.409J(current)

Crosswalks

V54.15ApproxICD-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