2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S72.019

Unspecified intracapsular fracture of unspecified femur

ICD-10-CM Code:
S72.019
ICD-10 Code for:
Unspecified intracapsular fracture of unspecified femur
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the hip and thigh
      (S70-S79)
      • Fracture of femur
        (S72)

S72.019 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of unspecified intracapsular fracture of unspecified femur. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S72.019 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Unspecified intracapsular fracture of unspecified femur

Non-specific codes like S72.019 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for unspecified intracapsular fracture of unspecified femur:

  • Use S72.019A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019B for initial encounter for open fracture type I or II - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019C for or IIIC - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019D for subsequent encounter for closed fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019E for subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019F for or IIIC with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019G for subsequent encounter for closed fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019H for subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019J for or IIIC with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019K for subsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019M for subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019N for or IIIC with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019P for subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019Q for subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with malunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019R for or IIIC with malunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S72.019S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Closed fracture of femur, subcapital
  • Closed fracture of intracapsular section of femur
  • Closed fracture proximal femur, subcapital, Garden grade I
  • Closed fracture proximal femur, subcapital, Garden grade II
  • Closed fracture proximal femur, subcapital, Garden grade III
  • Closed fracture proximal femur, subcapital, Garden grade IV
  • Open fracture of head of femur
  • Open fracture of head of femur
  • Open fracture of head of femur
  • Open fracture of head of femur
  • Open fracture of head of femur
  • Open fracture of intracapsular section of femur
  • Open fracture of neck of femur
  • Open subcapital fracture of femur
  • Open subcapital fracture of proximal femur Garden grade I
  • Open subcapital fracture of proximal femur Garden grade II
  • Open subcapital fracture of proximal femur Garden grade III
  • Open subcapital fracture of proximal femur Garden grade IV
  • Subcapital fracture of neck of femur

Coding Guidelines

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site nd the level of detail furnished by medical record content.

A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed. A fracture not indicated whether displaced or not displaced should be coded to displaced.

Initial vs. Subsequent Encounter for Fractures

Traumatic fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for initial encounter (A, B, C) for each encounter where the patient is receiving active treatment for the fracture. The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

Fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care for encounters after the patient has completed active treatment of the fracture and is receiving routine care for the fracture during the healing or recovery phase.

Care for complications of surgical treatment for fracture repairs during the healing or recovery phase should be coded with the appropriate complication codes.

Care of complications of fractures, such as malunion and nonunion, should be reported with the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care with nonunion (K, M, N,) or subsequent care with malunion (P, Q, R).

Malunion/nonunion: The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

The open fracture designations in the assignment of the 7th character for fractures of the forearm, femur and lower leg, including ankle are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification. When the Gustilo classification type is not specified for an open fracture, the 7th character for open fracture type I or II should be assigned (B, E, H, M, Q).

Patient Education


Fractures

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are:

  • Intense pain
  • Deformity - the limb looks out of place
  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Problems moving a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Leg Injuries and Disorders

Your legs are made up of bones, blood vessels, muscles, and other connective tissue. They are important for motion and standing. Playing sports, running, falling, or having an accident can damage your legs. Common leg injuries include sprains and strains, joint dislocations, and fractures (broken bones).

These injuries can affect the entire leg, or just the foot, ankle, knee, or hip. Certain diseases also lead to leg problems. For example, knee osteoarthritis, common in older people, can cause pain and limited motion. Problems in your veins in your legs can lead to varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.