Displaced oblique fracture of shaft of left tibia, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect stemming from a previously sustained oblique fracture of the shaft of the left tibia, where the bone fragments are no longer in their anatomical alignment. It indicates that the initial injury has healed, but residual issues directly attributable to that fracture persist.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with ongoing problems, such as chronic pain, malunion, nonunion, deformity, or restricted range of motion, that are directly linked to a past displaced oblique fracture of the left tibial shaft. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters addressing these persistent sequelae, not for the initial acute injury or its immediate healing phase.

• Always sequence this "S" code after the code(s) identifying the specific sequela (e.g., M84.28 for nonunion).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the prior left tibial shaft fracture.
• Do not use this code for acute or subacute fractures; it is exclusively for late effects.