2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S72Fracture of femur

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site, to 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) while 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).

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).

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

• traumatic amputation of hip and thigh S78

Type 2 Excludes

• fracture of lower leg and ankle S82
• fracture of foot S92
• periprosthetic fracture of prosthetic implant of hip M97.0

7th Character Note

• The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from category S72

7th Character

• A - initial encounter for closed fracture
• B - initial encounter for open fracture type I or II
• initial encounter for open fracture NOS
• C - initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC
• D - subsequent encounter for closed fracture with routine healing
• E - subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with routine healing
• F - subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with routine healing
• G - subsequent encounter for closed fracture with delayed healing
• H - subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with delayed healing
• J - subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing
• K - subsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunion
• M - subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
• N - subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion
• P - subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion
• Q - subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with malunion
• R - subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion
• S - sequela

• A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
• A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed
• The open fracture designations are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification