Facebook tracking pixel
S82.90XA
ICD-10-CM
Tibial Fracture

Find comprehensive information on tibial fracture diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about ICD-10 codes for tibial plateau fractures, shaft fractures, and distal tibial fractures. Explore resources for proper fracture documentation, treatment protocols, and orthopedic coding best practices. This guide covers tibial fracture types, anatomy, and relevant medical terminology for accurate and efficient healthcare documentation.

Also known as

Tibia Fracture
Fracture of Tibia

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : A break or crack in the tibia, the larger of the two lower leg bones.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, swelling, deformity, inability to bear weight, tenderness to touch.
  • Common Settings : Emergency room, urgent care, orthopedics clinic, sports medicine clinic.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S82.90XA Coding
S82.-

Fracture of lower leg, including ankle

Encompasses fractures of the tibia, fibula, and ankle.

S82.2-

Fracture of shaft of tibia

Specifies fractures located in the tibial shaft.

S82.3-

Fracture of lower end of tibia

Includes fractures of the distal tibia, excluding the ankle.

S82.4-

Fracture of upper end of tibia

Covers fractures of the proximal tibia, including the tibial plateau.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the fracture open or closed?

  • Open

    Type of open fracture?

  • Closed

    Displaced or nondisplaced?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Tibial Fracture
Fibula Fracture
Tibiofibular Joint Dislocation

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Tibial fracture: laterality (left/right)
  • Fracture type: open/closed, displaced/nondisplaced
  • Anatomic location: proximal, distal, shaft
  • Associated injuries: fibula, soft tissue
  • ICD-10 code and modifiers documented

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Site

    Coding tibial fracture without specifying laterality (right/left) or specific location can lead to claim rejection or underpayment. Crucial for accurate reimbursement.

  • Open vs. Closed Fracture

    Miscoding open and closed tibial fractures impacts severity and reimbursement. Documentation must clearly state if skin integrity was compromised.

  • Associated Injuries

    Failing to code associated injuries like fibular fractures or ligament tears with tibial fractures leads to underreporting severity and lost revenue.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document fracture type, location, laterality using ICD-10 codes for accurate billing.
  • Ensure CDI aligns documentation with clinical findings for tibial fracture diagnosis.
  • Query physician for clarification if documentation lacks specificity for proper coding.
  • Use compliant modifiers for closed, open, or percutaneous fracture treatments.
  • Regularly audit tibial fracture documentation for coding accuracy and compliance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify mechanism of injury documented (ICD-10 S82)
  • Confirm physical exam findings: pain, swelling, deformity
  • Check imaging results: X-ray, CT scan confirmation
  • Assess neurovascular status: pulses, sensation documented

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Tibial Fracture Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts payer contract negotiations and claim denials. Proper ICD-10 and CPT coding maximizes reimbursement.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Accurate fracture documentation affects hospital quality scores for patient safety, time to treatment, and complication rates.
  • Coding Accuracy: Correctly coding tibial fracture type, laterality, and associated injuries ensures appropriate DRG assignment and optimal reimbursement.
  • Hospital Reporting: Precise tibial fracture data improves public health reporting, trauma registry accuracy, and resource allocation decisions.

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.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Specify tibial location
  • Identify fracture type
  • Document displacement
  • Code laterality (R/L)
  • Add 7th character

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with tibial fracture.  Onset of symptoms occurred on [Date of onset] following [Mechanism of injury - e.g., fall, twisting injury, direct blow].  Location of pain and tenderness is localized to the [Proximal, midshaft, or distal] tibia.  Patient reports [Symptoms - e.g., pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, inability to bear weight].  Physical examination reveals [Clinical findings - e.g., edema, ecchymosis, tenderness to palpation, crepitus, deformity, limited range of motion].  Neurovascular status of the affected extremity was assessed and found to be [Intact or compromised, specify findings].  Radiographic imaging of the tibia and fibula was performed, revealing a [Type of fracture - e.g., transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, displaced, non-displaced] fracture of the [Specify location and involvement of articular surfaces] tibia.  Diagnosis of tibial fracture confirmed.  Differential diagnosis considered included [List differential diagnoses - e.g., tibial stress fracture, soft tissue injury, fibular fracture].  Treatment plan includes [Treatment options - e.g., closed reduction, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), casting, splinting, pain management, referral to orthopedics].  Patient was instructed on weight-bearing restrictions, pain management, and follow-up care.  Patient education provided regarding signs and symptoms of complications such as compartment syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, and infection.  Follow-up appointment scheduled for [Date of follow-up] to assess healing progress and adjust treatment plan as needed.  ICD-10 code [Appropriate ICD-10 code] assigned.
Tibial Fracture - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation