In simple words: This code is used for the first visit to a doctor after a traumatic event causing complete loss of the left arm at the shoulder.The doctor will examine the injury and determine the best treatment, which might include surgery to try and reattach the arm, pain medicine, and antibiotics to prevent infection.

This code signifies the initial encounter for a complete traumatic amputation at the left shoulder joint.This involves the complete, traumatic separation of the left shoulder and upper arm from the body trunk due to an external cause, such as a crush injury, blast injury, entanglement in machinery, or motor vehicle accident. The diagnosis is established through patient history, physical examination, and imaging studies (X-rays, CT, CTA, MRI) to assess the extent of the damage. Treatment may include hemorrhage control, preservation of the severed limb for potential reimplantation, assessment for other life-threatening injuries, surgical reimplantation (if feasible), pain management (analgesics), infection prevention (antibiotics), anti-inflammatory medication, tetanus prophylaxis, and fitting of a prosthesis if reimplantation is not an option.

Example 1: A construction worker's arm is severed at the shoulder by a falling beam. This is the initial encounter for treatment., A patient is involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in a traumatic amputation of the left arm at the shoulder joint. This code is used for the initial medical encounter., A patient presents to the emergency department after a traumatic injury caused by industrial machinery, resulting in a complete amputation at the left shoulder joint. This is the initial visit for the injury.

Detailed patient history including mechanism of injury; physical examination findings; radiographic images (X-rays, CT scan, MRI); operative reports if surgery is performed; details of any prosthesis provided; and documentation supporting medical necessity.

** This code excludes birth trauma (P10-P15) and obstetric trauma (O70-O71).The severity of the injury and the treatment plan will determine the extent of additional codes required.Always verify with payer guidelines for appropriate coding practices.