Displ pilon fx unsp tibia, 7thR

This code describes a situation where a patient has a pilon fracture of the tibia that was initially an open fracture (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) and has subsequently healed incorrectly, resulting in a malunion. The fracture is displaced, meaning the bone fragments are not in their proper alignment, and the specific tibia (left or right) is not documented.

Use this code for follow-up encounters where a previously treated open pilon fracture of an unspecified tibia is now complicated by malunion. This applies when the patient is receiving ongoing care for the improperly healed fracture, such as evaluation for corrective surgery or management of related symptoms.

• Ensure documentation specifies an open fracture (Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC) and a subsequent encounter for malunion.
• Verify that the specific tibia (left or right) is not documented; otherwise, a more specific code should be used.
• Do not use this code for initial treatment of the fracture or for nonunion; specific codes exist for those scenarios.