ICD 10 CM S72.364H | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 S72.364H describes a specific type of fracture in the shaft of the right femur, which is the long cylindrical part of the thigh bone that extends between the hip and knee, characterized by a complete break in two parts of the central portion of the femur bone with several large fragments, without any misalignment of the fracture fragments, and is typically caused by trauma such as a forceful blow to the bone from a moving object, a gunshot injury, fall, assault, sports activities, or traffic accident, and 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 delayed healing of an open fracture that is exposed through a tear or laceration in the skin caused by the fracture or external injury.

Official Description Of S72.364H

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S72.364H as:

Clinical Information

The diagnosis describes by the ICD 10 CM S72.364H code details a specific type of femoral fracture that can cause severe discomfort and can greatly disrupt a person’s ability to walk or bear weight. This type of fracture occurs specifically in the shaft of the right femur and is considered a nondisplaced segmental fracture.

When a person experiences this type of fracture, they can expect to have intense leg pain in addition to deformities such as swelling, bruising, and bleeding. More severe cases may even result in a shortening of the affected limb. In open fractures, the risk of infection is also present.

In order to make a correct diagnosis, a medical provider will typically perform a physical examination and may use diagnostic imaging tests such as Xrays, CT scans, and MRIs. Laboratory studies may also be ordered to detect any underlying medical conditions that could impact the recovery process.

The treatment for this type of femoral fracture depends on various factors such as the extent of the injury, the location of the fracture, and the overall health of the patient.

For stable femoral fractures, treatment may involve protected, crutch-assisted weight bearing until healing is identified on Xray. External fixation or continuous weighted traction may also be used as alternatives. Surgical intervention may be necessary in more severe cases where the fracture requires reduction and stabilization.

Patients who undergo surgery may receive anticoagulant medications to prevent deep vein thrombosis and secondary pulmonary embolism, as well as antibiotics to avoid postoperative infection. Once discharged, patients may immediately start walking with physical therapy rehabilitation. Additionally, management of any coexisting conditions and postoperative analgesic pain management will be necessary.

It is important for medical coders to have a thorough understanding of the diagnosis code S72.364H as it is crucial in the coding process for this specific type of femoral fracture. By understanding the nuances of this diagnosis code, medical coders can help ensure accurate and efficient billing processes for both the patient and the medical facility.