Displ osteochon fx l patella, 7thR

This code describes a situation where a patient has a displaced fracture involving both the bone and cartilage of the left kneecap (patella), which was initially an open fracture of a severe type (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC). The fracture has subsequently healed in a misaligned position, known as a malunion.

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters when a patient is receiving ongoing treatment or evaluation for a malunited displaced osteochondral fracture of the left patella that originated as a severe open fracture. It indicates that the initial injury was significant and the healing process has resulted in an anatomical deformity.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "left" patella and "displaced" osteochondral fracture.
• Verify that the original injury was an "open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC" and that "malunion" is documented.
• This code is for subsequent encounters; an initial encounter would use a different code.