ICD 10 CM S52.242E | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 S52.242E describes a specific type of fracture, namely a displaced spiral fracture, which occurs in the shaft of the left ulna, one of the two bones in the forearm, and is characterized by a break line that spirals around the central portion of the bone, resulting in misalignment of the broken pieces of bone, and is typically caused by trauma that twists or rotates the forearm; furthermore, this code is used to indicate a subsequent encounter for an open, normally healing fracture that is exposed through a tear or laceration of the skin caused by displaced fracture fragments or external injury, and is classified as type I or II according to the Gustilo classification, which denotes fractures with anterior or posterior dislocation and minimal to moderate soft tissue damage due to low energy trauma.

Official Description Of S52.242E

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S52.242E as:

Clinical Information

The diagnosis describes by the ICD 10 CM code S52.242E refers to a specific type of upper limb injury. It is known to be a displaced spiral fracture of the shaft of the left ulna. This condition can cause continuous discomfort and severe pain. Other symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and bruising over the affected area, causing difficulty in moving the elbow, numbness and tingling, and even deformity in the elbow. In more severe cases, the displaced bone fragments may also cause damage to nerves and blood vessels, making it a more complicated injury to diagnose and treat.

Medical professionals usually diagnose this condition based on the patient’s history and physical examination, but they may also use imaging techniques such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and bone scans to assess the severity of the injury. If the provider suspects the displacement of the bone fragments has caused nerve or blood vessel injuries, additional laboratory and imaging studies may be necessary.

The treatment of a spiral fracture of the left ulna depends largely on the severity of the injury. Stable and closed fractures that have not displaced significantly may not require surgery. However, unstable fractures – ones where the bones have moved out of position – require fixation. Fixation may be done with a cast or brace, but surgery may also be necessary to realign the bones correctly.

Open fractures, where bones protrude through the skin, will require surgery to close the wound. For all fractures, providers will typically recommend restricting limb movement with a splint or cast. Patients may also be given exercises to improve mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion of the arm. Pain management is another critical aspect of treating this type of injury. Providers may prescribe analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain, as well as any secondary injuries caused by the displaced bone fragments.

In conclusion, a displaced spiral fracture of the shaft of the left ulna is a painful and debilitating injury that can cause a range of symptoms. Medical professionals use the ICD 10 S52.242E code to identify and treat this type of injury. Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and can include immobilization, physical therapy, and pain management, and, in some cases, surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term complications and ensure a speedy recovery for the patient.