Nondisp osteochon fx unsp patella, 7thR

This code describes a specific type of knee injury involving a fracture of both cartilage and underlying bone in the kneecap that is not displaced. It indicates that the patient is in a subsequent phase of care for a previously open fracture (where the bone broke through the skin) of a severe nature (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC), and that the fracture has healed improperly, resulting in malunion.

Use this code when documenting follow-up care for a patient who sustained an open osteochondral patellar fracture, which was initially severe, and is now presenting with a malunion of that fracture. This applies to situations where the patient is past the initial acute treatment phase and is being managed for the complications of the healing process.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "nondisplaced" and "osteochondral fracture" of the patella.
• Verify the encounter is for a "subsequent encounter" and that the original injury was an "open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC."
• Confirm the presence of "malunion" as a documented complication of the healing process.