icd-9 code for salter iii fracture

What is the ICd 9 code for a fracture of the distal femur?

So a physeal fracture of the distal femur would be reported as 821.22 for a closed fracture or 821.32 for an open fracture. It should be noted that these codes are not specific to Salter-Harris fractures. These codes are used for any fracture or separation of the epiphysis in the lower end of the femur. These codes are reported both for adults (who have closed growth plates) and children and adolescents (who have open growth plates) even though the potential for complications, including arrested bone growth, is much greater for children and adolescents.

What happens when a physeal fracture occurs?

When a physeal fracture occurs, the cartilaginous tissue of the growth plate becomes disrupted or separated, and when this occurs, bone growth may be affected. In the United States, physeal fractures are classified by severity using a system developed in 1963 by Robert Salter and W. Robert Harris; the system is known as ...

What is a growth plate fracture?

Physeal fractures, also referred to as growth plate fractures, are fractures that occur in the distal or proximal physis of the long bones, and they are of particular concern when they occur in children and adolescents who have not finished growing. Until full growth is attained, the growth plates are open and filled with cartilaginous tissue.

Can you use Salter Harris classification as documentation?

However, these codes should be used rarely as documentation ; in most instances, identification of the Salter-Harris classification will be possible, as well as the side affected. If the documentation does not include this information, the physician should be queried so that the most specific code can be assigned.