Orthopedic Coding Alert

If your physician doesn't specify open or closed, side on this type of fracture. Can you differentiate a closed versus open fracture? Do you know how to classify a "missile" fracture? If not, it's time for a quick reminder of these fracture types and terminology. Get to the Root of the Problem Knowing a fracture site isn't enough. If you look at your ICD-9 manual, you'll note that most fractures are listed first by site but then according to whether the fracture is closed or open. Example: Suppose your surgeon diagnoses a patella fracture. In the index of the ICD-9 manual, you look up "fracture," after which you will see a listing of the sites. If you move to "knee," the subheading will say "closed 822.0," followed by "open 822.1." Therefore, if you don't know whether the surgeon diagnosed an open or closed fracture, you won't be able to assign [...]