Displ osteochon fx r patella, subs for clos fx w malunion

This code describes a situation where a patient previously sustained a fracture involving both bone and cartilage of the right kneecap, and the fracture fragments are no longer in their correct anatomical alignment. The current encounter is for ongoing management of this fracture, which has healed in an unsatisfactory position, known as a malunion, and the skin over the fracture site remains intact.

Use this code for follow-up visits where a patient is being treated for a malunited, closed osteochondral fracture of the right patella. This includes scenarios such as monitoring the malunion, planning for corrective surgery, or managing symptoms related to the improperly healed fracture. It is appropriate when the initial injury has already occurred and the focus is on the sequelae of the malunion.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "malunion" and that the fracture is "closed."
• Verify the laterality (right patella) is explicitly stated in the medical record.
• This code requires a 7th character "P" for subsequent encounter with malunion; do not use for initial care or routine healing.