ICD 10 CM S72.046K | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 S72.046K is a medical code that describes a type of femur fracture, specifically a nondisplaced fracture of an unspecified femur’s neck, which is also known as a cervicotrochanteric or basal femoral fracture, that occurs when the ball of the hip joint or the femoral head and the greater and lesser trochanters near the thigh bone’s shaft break due to trauma such as a motor vehicle accident, fall, sports injury, or low bone density, and the fracture fragments do not separate, so the pieces remain aligned, and the provider does not document whether the fracture involves the right or left femur at this subsequent encounter for a closed fracture, not exposed through a tear or laceration of the skin, that fails to unite.

Official Description Of S72.046K

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S72.046K as:

When To Use S72.046K

The diagnosis describes by ICD-10-CM S72.046K code refers to a specific type of hip fracture that happens at the base of the neck of the femur, where the long bone of the thigh meets the hip bone. This fracture is classified as “nondisplaced,” meaning that the bone remains in its original position, but the breakage still requires medical attention.

The most obvious signs of this type of injury are hip pain and inability to bear weight on the affected side, which can be accompanied by swelling, bruising, and restricted movement. Additionally, patients may report experiencing pain in the groin or hip region when attempting to move the injured limb.

To diagnose this condition, healthcare providers usually rely on a combination of physical examination, imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, as well as laboratory studies to evaluate the patient’s overall health status and identify any underlying medical conditions that could complicate the treatment process.

In most cases, midcervical (hip) fractures require surgery to stabilize the broken bone, a procedure known as open reduction and internal fixation. To prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, patients may be given anticoagulant medications, as well as antibiotics to lower the risk of postoperative infection.

Post-surgical rehabilitation typically involves physical therapy and exercises aimed at improving mobility and restoring strength to the injured hip area. Patients can also benefit from appropriate pain management strategies to alleviate discomfort during the healing process.

While surgery is the preferred treatment option for hip fractures, some patients may not be candidates for this type of intervention, either due to health reasons or personal preferences. In such cases, non-surgical treatment options such as immobilization, aggressive analgesic pain management, and physical therapy may be considered.

Overall, the diagnosis of a nondisplaced fracture of the base of the neck of an unspecified femur is a serious injury that requires prompt medical attention and management. By using the ICD-10-CM S72.046K diagnosis code to accurately document patients with this condition, healthcare providers can ensure proper coding, billing, and reimbursement for their services, as well as facilitate data analysis and research into hip fracture trends and outcomes.