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S79.921A
ICD-10-CM
Left Hip Injury

Find information on Left Hip Injury diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about common left hip injury symptoms, diagnostic criteria, ICD-10 codes (S70-S79, M25.55), and treatment options. This resource provides essential information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand left hip injuries. Explore relevant medical terminology, clinical findings, and best practices for accurate documentation and coding.

Also known as

Left Hip Trauma
Left Hip Fracture
Left Hip Dislocation

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Damage or trauma to the left hip joint, muscles, or surrounding tissues.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, limited range of motion, swelling, bruising, tenderness to touch.
  • Common Settings : Falls, sports injuries, arthritis, overuse, car accidents.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S79.921A Coding
S70-S79

Injuries to the hip and thigh

Covers fractures, dislocations, and other injuries of the left hip.

M24

Other specific joint disorders

Includes internal derangement and other non-traumatic left hip joint disorders.

M96

Other disorders of bone density and structure

May include stress fractures and other bone-related left hip injuries.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the injury a fracture?

  • Yes

    Pathological fracture?

  • No

    Dislocation present?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Left Hip Injury
Left Hip Sprain
Left Hip Strain

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Laterality (left hip) documented
  • Injury type specified (e.g., fracture, strain)
  • Date of injury documented
  • Physical exam findings of left hip
  • ICD-10 code for left hip injury

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Injury Code

    Using unspecified codes like S79.9XXA (Unspecified injury of left hip) without sufficient documentation to support a more specific diagnosis leads to lower reimbursement and audit risk.

  • Laterality Documentation

    Missing or unclear documentation of laterality (left hip) can cause incorrect coding and claim denials. Specificity is crucial for accurate coding in medical records.

  • Traumatic vs. Atraumatic

    Failing to distinguish between traumatic (e.g., fracture) and atraumatic (e.g., bursitis) left hip injuries can lead to inaccurate code assignment and affect quality reporting. Proper clinical documentation of the mechanism of injury is crucial.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate ICD-10 coding (S70-S79, M24-M25) for left hip injuries.
  • Specific laterality documentation (left hip) crucial for proper coding.
  • Detailed injury documentation supports medical necessity for procedures.
  • Regular CDI reviews ensure compliant and complete left hip injury records.
  • Query physicians for clarification on unspecified left hip diagnoses.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify left hip pain location, onset, and character.
  • Assess ROM and palpate for tenderness, deformity.
  • Order imaging (X-ray, MRI) as clinically indicated.
  • Document injury mechanism and physical exam findings.
  • Consider age-related diagnoses (fracture, osteoarthritis).

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Left Hip Injury reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10 coding (S70-S79) and appropriate CPT codes for procedures.
  • Coding errors impact claim denials, reducing revenue and increasing A/R days for Left Hip Injury cases.
  • Accurate documentation of Left Hip Injury severity influences MS-DRG assignment and hospital reimbursement.
  • Quality metrics like LOS, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction are affected by Left Hip Injury management.

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 most effective differential diagnostic considerations for a patient presenting with acute left hip pain after a fall, and how can I streamline my diagnostic approach?

A: When a patient presents with acute left hip pain post-fall, a streamlined differential diagnosis considers several key factors. Fractures (femoral neck, intertrochanteric, acetabular) are high on the list, particularly in older adults. Soft tissue injuries, including left hip labral tears, muscle strains (iliopsoas, hamstring, adductor), and contusions, should also be considered, especially in younger, active individuals. In cases of chronic pain or prior hip issues, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head are potential diagnoses. To streamline the process, begin with a thorough history, including mechanism of injury and prior hip health. A focused physical exam assessing range of motion, tenderness, and stability is crucial. Plain radiographs are the initial imaging modality of choice, followed by MRI or CT if necessary to visualize soft tissue or complex fractures. Explore how integrating standardized assessment tools, such as the Hip Outcome Score, can further enhance your diagnostic accuracy and patient management for left hip injuries.

Q: How can I differentiate between a left hip labral tear and a left hip flexor strain in a patient reporting groin pain and limited hip mobility, and what specific examination maneuvers are most helpful?

A: Differentiating between a left hip labral tear and a left hip flexor strain can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms like groin pain and limited mobility. However, key clinical findings can help distinguish them. Labral tears often present with clicking, catching, or locking sensations in the hip, while flexor strains typically involve pain with active hip flexion against resistance. The FADIR (Flexion, Adduction, Internal Rotation) test is highly sensitive for labral tears, eliciting pain deep within the hip joint. The Thomas test assesses hip flexor tightness and can reveal underlying muscle strain if pain or limited extension is present. Palpation of the anterior hip and groin can also identify tenderness specific to the flexor muscles. Consider implementing dynamic ultrasound imaging during these maneuvers to visualize real-time muscle and tendon movement and further refine your diagnosis. Learn more about utilizing intra-articular injections with local anesthetic to diagnose labral tears, as pain relief suggests an intra-articular pathology.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code laterality: left hip
  • ICD-10 S70-S79, M24-M25
  • Document injury specifics
  • Query physician if unclear
  • Check 7th character rules

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints of left hip pain.  Onset of pain was (onset date or description, e.g., two weeks ago, insidious, acute following a fall).  Pain quality is described as (sharp, dull, aching, throbbing, etc.) and located in the (anterior, posterior, lateral, groin, buttock, radiating to thigh or knee, etc.) region of the left hip.  Pain severity is (mild, moderate, severe) and rated (numerical pain scale rating 0-10).  Aggravating factors include (weight-bearing, walking, sitting, lying on left side, certain movements, etc.) while alleviating factors include (rest, ice, heat, medication, etc.).  Patient reports (positive or negative) history of trauma, fall, or injury to the left hip.  Past medical history includes (relevant medical conditions, e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis).  Surgical history includes (any prior hip surgeries).  Medications include (list current medications).  Allergies include (list medication allergies).  Physical examination reveals (tenderness to palpation, range of motion limitations, swelling, bruising, deformity, gait abnormalities, etc.).  Neurovascular examination of the left lower extremity is intact (or specify deficits if any).  Differential diagnosis includes left hip strain, left hip sprain, left hip osteoarthritis, left hip labral tear, left hip fracture, and left hip bursitis.  Ordered (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound) of the left hip to further evaluate the cause of pain.  Preliminary diagnosis is left hip injury.  Treatment plan includes (pain medication prescription, physical therapy referral, activity modification, assistive devices, follow-up appointment, orthopedic consultation if necessary). Patient education provided regarding left hip injury care, activity limitations, and pain management strategies.  Patient verbalized understanding of the plan of care.
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