ICD 10 CM S52.532M | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 S52.532M describes a specific type of fracture known as Colles’ fracture of the left radius, which occurs when the lower part of the larger forearm bone breaks and tilts upward due to sudden or blunt trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, sports activities, or falling on an outstretched extended arm, and is classified as type I or II based on the Gustilo classification system, indicating fractures with anterior or posterior radial head dislocation and minimal to moderate soft tissue damage due to low energy trauma, and this code is used for subsequent encounters for an open fracture that is exposed through a tear or laceration of the skin caused by displaced fracture fragments or external injury that fails to unite.

Official Description Of S52.532M

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S52.532M as:

When To Use S52.532M

The diagnosis describes by the ICD 10 CM S52.532M code is a Colles fracture of the left radius. This type of injury is a break in the distal end of the radius bone near the wrist, and it commonly occurs as a result of a fall on an outstretched hand. Patients with a Colles fracture may experience pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and deformity at the affected site. Additionally, they may have difficulty grasping, holding, or lifting objects, as well as limited range of motion and numbness and tingling at the affected site due to injury to blood vessels and nerves.

To diagnose the condition, healthcare providers typically take a detailed patient history and perform a thorough physical examination. They may also use medical imaging techniques such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and bone scans to further evaluate the extent and severity of the fracture.

The treatment approach for Colles fractures varies depending on the severity of the injury. Stable and closed fractures can often be treated with conservative measures such as ice packs, splints or casts to restrict limb movement, pain medications like analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion of the arm.

However, when the fracture is unstable, it may require fixation, which is the process of aligning and immobilizing fragments with surgical hardware such as metal pins, plates, or screws. This is necessary to promote proper healing and prevent malunion, which is when the bone fragments don’t heal correctly, resulting in permanent deformity.

If the fracture is open, it requires immediate surgery to close the wound and prevent infection. Other treatment options in this case may include antibiotics, pain management, and rehabilitation exercises.

In conclusion, a Colles fracture of the left radius can cause significant pain and functional limitations for patients. Healthcare providers use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat this condition depending on the severity of the injury. Accurate and efficient medical coding of diagnoses such as this is crucial to ensure proper reimbursement for healthcare services provided.