Fibrosis due to internal orthopedic prosth dev/grft, sequela

This code signifies the development of fibrous tissue as a delayed complication stemming from the presence of an internal orthopedic prosthetic device, implant, or graft. This fibrosis is a pathological response to the foreign material, occurring after the initial healing phase.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates fibrosis as a long-term consequence of an orthopedic implant, such as scar tissue formation around a joint replacement or spinal fusion hardware. This code is appropriate for chronic conditions where the fibrosis is the primary reason for the encounter or a significant contributing factor to the patient's symptoms.

• Requires a seventh character "S" for sequela, indicating a late effect.
• Always sequence this code after the primary diagnosis describing the patient's current symptoms or condition caused by the fibrosis.
• Ensure documentation specifies "fibrosis" and links it directly to the presence of an internal orthopedic device, not just general scar tissue from surgery.