Burn of third degree of left knee, subsequent encounter

This code signifies a full-thickness burn affecting the left knee, indicating damage to all layers of skin and potentially underlying tissue. Third-degree burns are characterized by a leathery, white, or charred appearance, and often result in nerve damage, leading to a lack of sensation in the affected area.

Apply this code when documenting follow-up care for a patient previously treated for a third-degree burn on the left knee. This includes encounters for wound care, debridement, skin grafting, infection management, or monitoring of healing progress after the initial treatment phase.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies the left knee as the affected site and confirms the burn depth as third degree.
• The "D" seventh character indicates a subsequent encounter, meaning the patient is receiving routine care during the healing or recovery phase.
• Do not use this code for initial treatment of the burn; refer to codes with the "A" seventh character for active treatment.