In simple words: This code describes a follow-up visit for a badly broken left forearm bone (radius) that healed crookedly.The break went through the skin, and there was significant damage to the surrounding tissues.

A displaced oblique fracture of the shaft of the left radius is a break in the larger bone of the forearm, where the break line runs diagonally across the bone. This is often a result of combined bending and twisting forces.An "open" fracture means the bone has pierced the skin.The classification "IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC" uses the Gustilo system which describes increasing levels of soft tissue damage associated with the fracture. Specifically, "malunion" indicates the fracture has healed, but in an imperfect position or alignment.This code is used for encounters after the initial treatment of the fracture.

Example 1: A patient presents for a follow-up appointment after surgical repair of an open, displaced oblique fracture of the left radius. The fracture is healing, but with some angulation (malunion). , A patient initially sustained a closed fracture, but due to infection, the fracture site became exposed, converting it to an open fracture. Now, months later, the bone is not healing properly and shows signs of malunion. , A patient had a severe open fracture classified as Gustilo type IIIB, involving extensive soft tissue damage.The fracture has healed, but with significant misalignment, affecting the patient's range of motion.

Documentation should include the type of fracture (displaced, oblique, open), the location (left radius), the Gustilo classification (IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC), evidence of malunion, details of the initial injury and treatment, and the patient’s current symptoms and functional limitations. Imaging reports should be included.