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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Mallet Finger Has an Easy Choice

Published on Tue Apr 24, 2012

Question: What diagnosis code do we report for a mallet finger? How do we report if the permanent flexion followed an acute injury?New Jersey SubscriberAnswer: You report ICD-9 code 736.1 (Mallet finger) for the diagnosis of a mallet finger. Mallet finger results from an injury to the extensor tendon, or bone at the attachment of the extensor tendon, following which the finger tip droops.
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