what is the icd 10 code for pathologic fracture

by Brooklyn Brekke 10 min read

Pathological fracture, other site, initial encounter for fracture. M84. 48XA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M84.

Is that fracture traumatic or pathologic?

Pathological fracture is caused by disease. For example, fractures sustained in an activity that normally would not cause a fracture such as bending over to pick something up or walking up the stairs. Traumatic fracture is caused by some type of accident. For example, fractures sustained in a motor vehicle accident or falling off of a roof.

How to code chronic fracture?

Fracture Codes . Assign separate codes for each fracture unless there is a combination code. When multiple fractures or injuries occur at the same time, the provider determines the diagnosis for the most serious fracture/injury and the focus of treatment (sequenced first). Also, assign the appropriate 7. th. character (see below for descriptions).

What is a pathologic femur fracture?

With that being said, certain medical conditions can weaken the bone and make it more vulnerable to fracture. These include osteoporosis, tumors, infection, and even certain bisphosphonate medications used to treat osteoporosis. Breaks of these sorts are referred to as pathologic femur fractures.

Do you code fracture aftercare ICD10?

You would code the aftercare codes for follow up visits while the fracture is healing after the initial treatment. The guidelines state: "Fractures are coded using the aftercare codes for encounters after the patient has completed active treatment of the fracture and is receiving routine care for the fracture during the healing or recovery phase.

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How do you code a pathological fracture?

A pathological fracture is classified to code 733.1x, with a fifth digit identifying the fracture site. Pathological fractures often occur in the vertebra (733.13), hip (733.14), and wrist (distal radius or Colles' fracture, 733.12).

What is the pathologic fracture?

Pathologic fractures occur through areas of weakened bone attributed to either primary malignant lesions, benign lesions, metastasis, or underlying metabolic abnormalities, with the common factor being altered skeletal biomechanics secondary to pathologic bone.

What is an example of pathologic fracture?

A pathological fracture is one in which breaks in the bone were caused by an underlying disease. Examples of pathological fractures include those caused by cancer (see Figure 1), osteoporosis, or other bone diseases.

What is a pathological facture?

Listen to pronunciation. (PA-thuh-LAH-jik FRAK-sher) A broken bone caused by disease, often by the spread of cancer to the bone.

What is the most common pathological fracture?

The femoral neck and head are the most common locations for pathologic fracture because of the propensity for metastases to involve proximal bones and because of the stress of weight placed on this part of the femur.

What is the difference between traumatic and pathologic fracture?

A bone fracture is a complete or incomplete discontinuity of bone caused by a direct or indirect force. A pathological bone fracture is a bone fracture which occurs without adequate trauma and is caused by a preexistent pathological bone lesion.

Is an osteoporotic fracture a type of pathologic fracture?

A vertebral fracture may occur spontaneously and thus be more easily identified as occurring due to a disease (e.g. osteoporosis) and, therefore, coded as a pathologic fracture (ICD9 733.13).

Is compression fracture a pathological fracture?

Although all compression fractures have an underlying pathology, the term pathologic vertebral compression fracture (pVCF) is traditionally reserved for fractures that result from primary or metastatic spine tumors.

What is osteoporotic fracture?

Osteoporotic fractures (fragility fractures, low-trauma fractures) are those occurring from a fall from a standing height or less, without major trauma such as a motor vehicle accident.

What is the code for a fracture?

The codes under M80 identify the site of the fracture. A code from category M80, not a traumatic fracture code, should be used for any patient with known osteoporosis who suffers a fracture – even if the patient had a minor fall or trauma – if that fall or trauma would not usually break a normal, healthy bone.

What is pathological fracture?

A pathological or fragility fracture is defined as a fracture sustained due to trauma no more severe than a fall from standing height, with the break occurring under circumstances that would not cause a fracture in a normal, healthy bone.

What is the 7th character in a fracture?

The seventh character “A” is for use as long as the patient is receiving active treatment for a pathologic fracture. Examples of active treatment include surgical treatment, emergency department encounters and evaluation and treatment by a new physician. The seventh character “D” is to be used for encounters occurring after the patient has completed active treatment. The other seventh characters, listed under each subcategory in the tabular list, are to be used for subsequent encounters for treatment of problems associated with healing, such as malunions, nonunions and sequelae. Care for complications of surgical treatment of fracture repairs, occurring during the healing or recovery phase, should be coded with the appropriate complication codes.

What is the M80 code?

A code from category M80, not a traumatic fracture code, should be used for any patient with known osteoporosis who suffers a fracture – even if the patient had a minor fall or trauma – if that fall or trauma would not usually break a normal, healthy bone.

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