ICD 10 CM S73.042A | Description & Clinical Information
ICD 10 S73.042A describes a specific medical condition characterized by a partial medial displacement of the upper rounded end of the thigh bone through the floor of the hip joint socket, resulting in an acetabular fracture, which is typically caused by excessive force during a fall, sports activity, or a direct blow to a flexed knee, and this code is used to indicate the initial encounter for the injury.
Official Description Of S73.042A
The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S73.042A as:
Excludes2: dislocation and subluxation of hip prosthesis (T84.020, T84.021)
Includes: avulsion of joint or ligament of hip
laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of hip
sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of hip
traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of hip
traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of hip
traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of hip
traumatic tear of joint or ligament of hip
Excludes2: strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of hip and thigh (S76.-)
Code also: any associated open wound
Clinical Information
The diagnosis described by the ICD 10 CM S73.042A code is a subluxation of the left hip that occurs when the head of the femur partially dislocates from the hip socket. This condition can lead to a range of symptoms, such as chronic pain, loss of blood supply, and soft tissue swelling.
Healthcare providers rely on a combination of diagnostic tools to detect a central subluxation of the left hip. These tools include a thorough physical examination to assess the patient’s nerves and blood supply. Additionally, imaging techniques such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be used to provide insight into the extent of the injury. Laboratory studies, such as hemoglobin and hematocrit tests, can assess blood loss and clotting.
When a patient is diagnosed with a central subluxation of the left hip, early treatment is crucial. An initial step in managing the injury may involve manual joint reduction under anesthesia. This procedure helps to realign the femoral head in the hip socket manually.
After treatment, it’s common for patients to experience pain. Providers may choose to prescribe narcotic analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain depending on its severity. In some cases, it may be necessary to use thrombolytics or anticoagulants to prevent or treat blood clots.
As healing progresses, patients may engage in exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion. Toe-touch weight bearing with crutches may also be recommended to improve balance, maintain mobility, and reduce the risk of further injury.
In instances where non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, open surgical repair and internal fixation or a hip arthroplasty may be necessary. During these procedures, a surgeon may remove all or part of the damaged hip joint and substitute it with a prosthesis.
A central subluxation of the left hip requires prompt and professional medical attention to ensure the most effective course of treatment. As a medical coder, you play a critical role in accurately documenting and coding diagnoses such as these as part of optimal medical billing and reimbursement processes.
