Nondisp oblique fx shaft of unsp tibia, 7thQ

This code describes a tibia fracture that runs diagonally across the bone shaft, but the bone fragments are still in their normal alignment. It specifically indicates that this is a follow-up encounter for an open fracture (where the skin was broken) that has healed incorrectly, resulting in malunion.

Use this code for patients presenting for ongoing care of a previously sustained open oblique tibial shaft fracture that has healed with an unacceptable alignment. This applies when the initial injury was an open fracture of Gustilo-Anderson type I or II, and the current encounter addresses the resulting malunion.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "nondisplaced" and "oblique" fracture morphology.
• Verify the original injury was an open fracture type I or II, and the current encounter addresses the malunion.
• Always assign an additional code for any associated complications or external causes, if applicable.