ICD 10 CM S72.25XE | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 S72.25XE describes a specific type of fracture in the left femur, located below the tuberosity of the femur and typically between the lesser trochanter and five centimeters distally, where the fracture fragments remain aligned, and it can be caused by sudden trauma such as a motor vehicle accident, sports injury, gunshot injury, fall, or low bone density, and it is classified as type I or II according to the Gustilo classification for open long bone fractures, and this code is used for a subsequent encounter for a normally healing, open fracture exposed through a tear or laceration in the skin caused by the fracture fragments or external injury.

Official Description Of S72.25XE

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S72.25XE as:

When To Use S72.25XE

The diagnosis describes by ICD 10 CM S72.25XE pertains to a specific type of femur fracture that occurs near the hip region. Such fractures can lead to severe pain, swelling, bruising, and deformities, such as limb shortening. Additionally, patients may experience difficulty bearing weight, walking, or lifting their leg, along with significant pain in the affected area when trying to move the injured limb.

To diagnose this condition, medical providers must conduct a thorough physical exam and make use of several imaging procedures, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, as well as lab tests to assess any underlying medical conditions coexisting with the fracture.

In most cases, stable subtrochanteric femoral fractures require open reduction and internal fixation to secure the bone and promote healing. Additionally, patients are often given anticoagulant medications to avoid the additional complication of deep vein thrombosis and secondary pulmonary embolism, as well as antibiotics to prevent postoperative infections.

Post-surgery, patients typically begin rehabilitation with physical therapy to improve mobility and regain strength in the affected area. Treatment may also involve additional management of any comorbid conditions or postoperative analgesics to manage pain effectively.

However, in certain circumstances, patients may not be able to undergo surgical treatment, and in those cases, nonsurgical management becomes the only option. Nonsurgical treatments may include immobilization of the affected area, aggressive analgesic pain management, and physical therapy to improve mobility and strengthen the area surrounding the fracture.

Overall, the diagnosis of a subtrochanteric femoral fracture requires prompt and effective medical intervention to reduce the risk of further complications and promote more successful outcomes for the patient. Therefore, it is essential for medical coders to understand the various management strategies for such injuries to ensure that accurate documentation and billing codes are assigned.