Find information on hand fracture diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes, CPT codes, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about different types of hand fractures, such as distal radius fracture, scaphoid fracture, metacarpal fracture, and phalangeal fracture. This resource provides details on diagnosis codes, treatment protocols, and documentation best practices for hand fractures in a clinical setting. Explore relevant information for physicians, coders, and other healthcare professionals.
Also known as
Fractures of hand and fingers
Encompasses fractures of carpal bones, metacarpals, and phalanges.
Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers
Includes various injuries like sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures.
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
Broad category covering injuries from various external causes, including fractures.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the fracture open or closed?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Hand Fracture |
| Metacarpal Fracture |
| Phalangeal Fracture |
Missing or incorrect laterality (right, left, unspecified) for hand fracture diagnosis codes leads to claim rejections and inaccurate data.
Lack of documentation specifying the exact bone fractured (e.g., metacarpal, phalanx) causes coding ambiguity and potential downcoding.
Failure to distinguish between traumatic fractures and those due to underlying conditions (e.g., osteoporosis) impacts severity and reimbursement.
Patient presents with complaints of hand pain and swelling following a fall onto an outstretched hand. Onset of symptoms occurred approximately two hours prior to presentation. Patient reports localized pain, tenderness, and limited range of motion in the affected hand. Physical examination reveals edema, ecchymosis, and point tenderness over the dorsal aspect of the right hand. Deformity suggestive of a possible metacarpal fracture is noted. Neurovascular assessment reveals intact sensation and capillary refill in the digits. Radiographic imaging of the right hand was ordered and confirms a closed, displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal, consistent with a boxer's fracture. Diagnosis of hand fracture, fifth metacarpal, closed, displaced is confirmed. Treatment plan includes closed reduction and immobilization with an ulnar gutter splint. Patient education provided regarding pain management, splint care, and follow-up appointments. Patient advised to follow up with orthopedics within one week for repeat radiographs and further management. ICD-10 code S62.131A, right hand fifth metacarpal fracture, closed, displaced. CPT codes 26600 for closed treatment of metacarpal fracture without manipulation, and 29075 for application of splint. Patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged in stable condition with instructions for pain management and follow-up care.