Sprain of septal cartilage of nose

This code signifies a traumatic injury to the cartilaginous partition separating the nostrils, specifically a sprain. It indicates stretching or tearing of the ligaments and soft tissues supporting the nasal septum, without a fracture or dislocation.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a sprain of the nasal septal cartilage, often resulting from direct trauma to the nose. Supporting documentation should include a physical examination noting tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the septum, and a mechanism of injury consistent with a sprain.

• Differentiate from nasal fractures (802.0-802.9) or dislocations, which are coded separately.
• Ensure documentation specifies "sprain" of the septal cartilage, not just general nasal trauma.
• Consider an external cause of injury code (E-code) to provide additional detail regarding the mechanism of injury.