Displ commnt fx shaft of unsp fibula, 7thR

This code describes a complex fracture of the fibula's shaft, specifically one that is broken into multiple pieces (comminuted) and misaligned (displaced). It indicates that the fracture was an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC injury, meaning the skin was broken and there was significant soft tissue damage, and that the bone is now healing improperly (malunion) during a follow-up encounter.

Use this code for a patient presenting for ongoing care of a previously treated open comminuted fibular shaft fracture that has healed in a misaligned position. This applies to follow-up visits where the malunion is being assessed or managed, and the initial injury was an open fracture with significant soft tissue involvement.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "malunion" and not "nonunion" or "delayed union."
• Verify the original injury was an open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC; otherwise, a different code for malunion would be appropriate.
• This code is for a subsequent encounter, indicating the initial treatment has already occurred.