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
Fracture of lower leg, including ankle
Encompasses fractures of the tibia, fibula, and ankle.
Fracture of shaft of tibia
Specifies fractures located in the tibial shaft.
Fracture of lower end of tibia
Includes fractures of the distal tibia, excluding the ankle.
Fracture of upper end of tibia
Covers fractures of the proximal tibia, including the tibial plateau.
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?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Tibial Fracture |
Fibula Fracture |
Tibiofibular Joint Dislocation |
Coding tibial fracture without specifying laterality (right/left) or specific location can lead to claim rejection or underpayment. Crucial for accurate reimbursement.
Miscoding open and closed tibial fractures impacts severity and reimbursement. Documentation must clearly state if skin integrity was compromised.
Failing to code associated injuries like fibular fractures or ligament tears with tibial fractures leads to underreporting severity and lost revenue.
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.