Crushed by alligator, sequela

This code describes the long-term effects or complications arising from an injury sustained when a patient was crushed by an alligator. It indicates that the initial traumatic event has resolved, but the patient continues to experience health problems directly attributable to that specific incident.

Apply this code when documenting conditions such as chronic pain, nerve damage, scarring, or organ dysfunction that are a direct consequence of being crushed by an alligator, and the initial acute injury has passed. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters where the sequelae are being managed, rather than the initial acute injury.

• Requires a seventh character 'S' to denote sequela, indicating the late effects of the initial injury.
• Always sequence this code after the code(s) for the specific sequela being treated (e.g., chronic pain, scar contracture).
• Do not use for the initial encounter of the acute injury; refer to the acute injury codes for that phase of care.