Pathological fractures and compression fractures.

Assumed relationships osteoporosis and neoplasms with fractures

When coding fractures in ICD-10, a coder may assume a relationship between a fracture and either osteoporosis or neoplastic disease, assuming the fracture to be pathological in nature, rather than traumatic, unless the physician has specifically stated otherwise (i.e. unless the physician has specifically indicated that the fracture is traumatic in a patient with osteoporosis or neoplastic disease).

Compression fracture coding

Collapsed vertebra or compression fracture of the vertebra is coded to M48.5 when no other cause is identified.

Compression fractures

Compression fractures are considered pathologic fractures.

Code pathological fracture in home care.

Pathologic fractures may be coded in M1021 and M1023 with 7th character D or S. Aftercare is not used in ICD-10 for fractures.

Pathological fractures

Spontaneous fractures occur without external blunt trauma and are almost always considered pathologic.

History of a healed pathological fracture.

Use Z87.311 for history of healed pathological fracture. Remember if there is any problem related to the healed fracture such as a contracture, then it would be the fracture code with an "S" as the 7th character.

Do not us unspecified side of the body when coding a fracture.

Watch out for laterality. Do not choose unspecified.