Pain due to internal orthopedic prosth dev/grft, sequela

This code signifies persistent or late-onset pain directly attributable to a previously implanted orthopedic device, such as a joint replacement, internal fixation hardware, or bone graft. The pain is not acute but rather a long-term consequence or complication arising from the presence of the prosthetic.

Apply this code when a patient presents with chronic pain in the area of an orthopedic implant, and the pain is determined to be a direct result of the device itself, rather than an acute infection, fracture, or mechanical complication. This is appropriate for follow-up encounters where the initial complication has been addressed, but the pain remains as a sequela.

• Ensure documentation clearly links the pain to the orthopedic device and specifies it as a long-term effect.
• Do not use for acute pain, infection, or mechanical complications (e.g., loosening, fracture) of the device; these have more specific codes.
• The "S" seventh character indicates sequela, meaning it's used for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of an earlier injury or disease.