Bitten by turtle, sequela

This code indicates a health condition or complication arising as a direct result of a turtle bite that occurred in the past. It is used when the acute injury has resolved, but the patient is still experiencing residual effects or long-term consequences from the bite.

Use this code when documenting conditions such as chronic infection, scarring, nerve damage, or persistent pain directly attributable to a previous turtle bite. It is appropriate for follow-up encounters where the sequelae are being treated or monitored, rather than the initial acute injury.

• Always use in conjunction with a code describing the specific sequela (e.g., scar, chronic infection).
• Requires a 7th character "S" for sequela, indicating the long-term nature of the condition.
• Do not use for the initial treatment of an acute turtle bite; refer to the acute injury codes for that scenario.