Lateral disloc of proximal end of tibia, left knee, sequela

This code signifies a chronic or residual condition resulting from a past lateral dislocation of the proximal tibia in the left knee. It indicates that the patient is experiencing ongoing issues, such as pain, instability, or limited range of motion, directly attributable to the previous injury. This is not for an acute dislocation but rather for the long-term effects.

Apply this code when documenting follow-up care for a patient who previously sustained a lateral dislocation of the left proximal tibia and is now presenting with persistent symptoms or complications related to that old injury. Examples include chronic knee pain, recurrent instability, or degenerative changes in the left knee joint stemming from the original dislocation.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific current manifestation of the sequela (e.g., chronic pain, osteoarthritis).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current symptoms or condition to the historical lateral dislocation of the left proximal tibia.
• Verify that the "S" seventh character is appropriate, indicating a sequela, rather than an initial encounter (A), subsequent encounter (D), or other applicable character.