Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question What ICD-9 code do we report when there is a large laceration which is partially circumferential around right arm and along the flexor and ulnar side of forearm? Laceration appears to involve the palmarislongis and injury through flexor carpi ulnaris muscle body. The patient has intact sensations distal to the wound.

California Subscriber

Answer You report 881.20 (Open wound of forearm with tendon involvement) as the laceration implies an open wound and since the muscles are involved in a laceration that extends from the arm to the forearm, the tendons in the joint area may be torn. If there is involvement of the right upper arm, then you also report 880.03 (Open wound of upper arm without complication).