Oth fracture of right lower leg, init for opn fx type 3A/B/C

This code signifies an open fracture of the right lower leg, excluding specific ankle or malleolar fractures, where the bone has broken through the skin. The "initial encounter" indicates this is the first time the patient is receiving active treatment for this particular injury. The "Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC" specifies a severe open fracture with significant soft tissue damage, often requiring extensive debridement or reconstructive surgery.

Use this code when documenting the initial treatment for a patient presenting with an open fracture of the right tibia or fibula (excluding ankle/malleolus) that is classified as Gustilo-Anderson Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. This applies to emergency department visits, initial surgical interventions, or the first inpatient admission for this injury.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly documents the fracture as "open" and specifies the Gustilo-Anderson classification (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC).
• Verify the fracture location is the right lower leg, excluding ankle or malleolar fractures, as those have more specific codes.
• Confirm this is the patient's initial encounter for active treatment of this specific injury; subsequent care would use a different encounter character.