Displaced longitudinal fracture of unsp patella, sequela

This code signifies a past injury involving a break running lengthwise through the kneecap, which was also out of its normal alignment. The specific side (left or right) of the patella is not documented. This code is used to report the long-term effects or complications arising from this old fracture.

This code is appropriate when a patient presents with ongoing issues directly attributable to a previously sustained, displaced longitudinal patellar fracture, where the laterality of the patella was not specified in the original injury documentation. Examples include chronic pain, limited range of motion, or instability resulting from the old injury. It should be used after the initial healing period of the acute fracture.

• Always ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the old fracture as a sequela.
• Verify that the original fracture was indeed displaced and longitudinal.
• Only use this code when the laterality of the patella is truly unspecified in the medical record.