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S72.91XA
ICD-10-CM
Fracture of Right Femur

Find information on right femur fracture diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about right thigh bone fracture and right femur break treatment, ICD-10 codes, and best practices for accurate medical record keeping related to femur fractures. This resource provides guidance for healthcare professionals on properly documenting and coding a right femoral fracture.

Also known as

Right Femur Break
Right Thigh Bone Fracture

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Break in the right thigh bone (femur).
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, swelling, deformity, inability to bear weight on right leg, bruising.
  • Common Settings : Falls, trauma, motor vehicle accidents, osteoporosis.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S72.91XA Coding
S72.-

Fracture of femur

Covers fractures of the thigh bone.

S72.0-

Fracture of upper end of right femur

Fractures at the top of the right thigh bone.

S72.1-

Fracture of shaft of right femur

Fractures in the middle part of the right thigh bone.

S72.9-

Fracture of unspecified part of right femur

Right femur fractures where the specific location isn't known.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the fracture traumatic?

  • Yes

    Open or closed fracture?

  • No

    Pathological fracture?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Fracture of right femur (thigh bone).
Fracture of right hip.
Stress fracture of right femur.

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document fracture type (open/closed, displaced/nondisplaced)
  • Specify location of fracture (proximal, shaft, distal)
  • Detail mechanism of injury (fall, trauma)
  • Record any associated injuries (soft tissue, vascular)
  • Include radiographic findings confirming the fracture

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Specificity

    Coding requires specifying right femur. Missing or incorrect laterality can lead to claim rejection or inaccurate data.

  • Fracture Type/Site

    ICD-10 requires specific fracture site (e.g., shaft, neck). Incomplete documentation poses coding and reimbursement challenges.

  • Traumatic vs. Pathologic

    Distinguishing traumatic fractures from pathologic fractures is crucial for correct coding and affects quality metrics.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • ICD-10 S72.0-S72.9, precise documentation of fracture type.
  • Document mechanism of injury, laterality, and anatomical location for accurate coding.
  • Query physician for complete fracture description: displaced, open/closed, etc. for CDI.
  • Timely follow-up care documentation for compliance, coding (Z codes), and reimbursement.
  • Regular audits of fracture documentation for coding accuracy and compliance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm trauma to right thigh/hip area.
  • Verify right femur fracture on imaging (X-ray/CT).
  • Assess neurovascular status of right leg.
  • Document fracture type, location, and displacement.
  • Evaluate for other injuries (e.g., head, pelvis).

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • ICD-10 coding accuracy crucial for right femur fracture reimbursement (e.g., S72.001A).
  • Accurate fracture documentation impacts trauma registry data quality and hospital metrics.
  • Proper coding of femur fracture type (closed, open, comminuted) affects DRG assignment & payment.
  • Timely billing & coding of right femur fracture minimizes claim denials and optimizes revenue cycle.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the key differential diagnoses to consider when a patient presents with suspected right femur fracture, and how can I distinguish them clinically?

A: When a patient presents with suspected right femur fracture, it's crucial to consider several differential diagnoses, including right hip dislocation, femoral shaft stress fracture, avulsion fracture of the proximal femur, and soft tissue injuries like quadriceps contusion or hematoma. Distinguishing these clinically involves a thorough history taking, focusing on mechanism of injury, location of pain, and associated symptoms. Physical examination should assess for deformity, tenderness, range of motion limitations, and neurovascular status. Palpating the hip joint and the entire length of the femur helps localize the injury. For example, pain and limited internal rotation suggest hip pathology, while localized tenderness along the femoral shaft points towards a fracture. Radiographic imaging is essential to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate between a fracture and other conditions. Consider implementing a standardized examination protocol to ensure all key elements are assessed. Explore how advanced imaging modalities like CT or MRI can provide additional information in complex cases or when plain radiographs are inconclusive.

Q: What are the best practices for pain management and initial stabilization of a right femur fracture in the emergency department setting, considering both adult and pediatric populations?

A: Effective pain management and initial stabilization are essential for right femur fracture management in the emergency department. For adults, administering analgesics like intravenous opioids or regional nerve blocks can provide immediate pain relief. In pediatric patients, consider weight-based dosing of analgesics and non-pharmacological pain management strategies. Stabilization typically involves applying a traction splint, such as a Hare traction splint or Sager splint, to immobilize the fracture and reduce pain before definitive treatment. Proper splint application is crucial to avoid neurovascular compromise. In pediatric patients, traction splints should be adjusted to their smaller size and anatomy. Learn more about the specific considerations for pediatric femur fractures and explore how age-appropriate pain management techniques can be implemented. For both populations, neurovascular status should be monitored closely before and after splinting.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code ICD-10 S72.xx for right femur fracture
  • Specify fracture type for accurate coding
  • Document fracture site for precise billing
  • Query physician for unclear documentation
  • Consider laterality (right) in coding

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with a right femur fracture.  Symptoms include severe right thigh pain, swelling, and limited mobility following a [Mechanism of injury - e.g., fall, motor vehicle accident].  Physical examination reveals tenderness to palpation along the right femoral shaft, ecchymosis, and deformity [if present].  Neurovascular assessment of the right lower extremity performed, with findings documented.  Differential diagnosis includes right femur shaft fracture, stress fracture of the femur, and right hip fracture.  Radiographic imaging of the right femur (X-ray, CT scan as clinically indicated) ordered and confirmed the diagnosis of a right femur fracture.  Fracture classification includes [specify fracture type e.g., transverse, oblique, comminuted, spiral] at the [specify location e.g., proximal, middle, distal] third of the femur.  Treatment plan includes [conservative management vs. surgical intervention - e.g., closed reduction, open reduction internal fixation ORIF, intramedullary nailing IMN].  Patient education provided regarding pain management, weight-bearing status, and follow-up care.  ICD-10 code S72.XXXA assigned for right femur fracture.  Referral to orthopedics consulted for definitive management.  Prognosis discussed with the patient, emphasizing the importance of adherence to the treatment plan for optimal healing and functional recovery.  Potential complications, including delayed union, nonunion, infection, and compartment syndrome, were also discussed.
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