{"id":177366,"date":"2026-08-13T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T07:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=177366"},"modified":"2026-08-13T11:57:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:57:21","slug":"icd-10-code-s72431r","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/","title":{"rendered":"ICD-10 Code S72.431R: open medial condyle fracture malunion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"headline\":\"ICD-10 Code S72.431R: Displaced fracture of medial condyle of right femur with malunion\",\"description\":\"ICD-10 Code S72.431R (Displaced fracture of medial condyle of right femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion) - billable status, code hierarchy, 7th character guide, related codes, documentation requirements, and ICD-9 crosswalk.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/\",\"audience\":{\"@type\":\"MedicalAudience\",\"audienceType\":\"Clinician\"},\"reviewedBy\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Dr Vanja Kitanova\",\"jobTitle\":\"Medical Reviewer\",\"affiliation\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Pabau\"},\"knowsAbout\":[\"Medical Coding\",\"Clinical Documentation\",\"Healthcare Billing\",\"Clinical Safety\"],\"sameAs\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/author\/vanja\/\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-01\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-13\"}<\/script>\n\n\n        <div id=\"key_takeaways\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Key-Takeaways-Icon.svg\" alt=\"Key takeaways\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Key takeaways<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"list\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>S72.431R covers a displaced medial condyle fracture of the right femur at a subsequent encounter, for an open type III fracture with malunion.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>The 7th character R means open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion, so it never applies to a closed fracture.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Closed fracture malunion at the same site takes 7th character P, and open type I or II malunion takes Q.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>The 6th character carries displacement and laterality together, so 1 through 3 are displaced and 4 through 6 are nondisplaced.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#3D3D46\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p>Pabau&#8217;s claims management tools attach ICD-10 codes inside the patient record, so the code on the claim matches the clinical note.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ICD-10 Code S72.431R is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for a displaced fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur. In short, it applies at a subsequent encounter, once an open fracture of type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC has healed with malunion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, the open fracture requirement is where this code is most often misapplied. In practice, coders reach for R whenever the record says malunion, but closed fracture malunion belongs to character P instead. So this guide covers the code hierarchy, the full 7th character set, sibling codes, documentation requirements, and the ICD-9 crosswalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"ICD-10 Revisions: Stay Updated or Fall Behind\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bqAyb-BCA0w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-icd-10-code-s72-431r-definition-billable-status-and-2026-validity\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">ICD-10 Code S72.431R: definition, billable status, and 2026 validity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specifically, ICD-10 Code S72.431R is a billable and specific ICD-10-CM diagnosis code. Indeed, the <a href=\"https:\/\/icd10cmtool.cdc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC\/NCHS ICD-10-CM web tool<\/a> confirms it is valid for the 2026 code set, starting October 1, 2025. As a result, it maps to one well-defined clinical scenario, so payers accept it directly on claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Field<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Value<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.431R<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Full description<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Displaced fracture of medial condyle of right femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Billable\/specific<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Yes &#8211; billable, specific code<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code system<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">ICD-10-CM (United States)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Effective year<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">2026 ICD-10-CM code set<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Closed fracture equivalent<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.431P (subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">ICD-9-CM equivalent<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">733.81 (Malunion of fracture)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, the CMS ICD-10-CM\/PCS code files maintain the tabular list and coding rules for this code family. So, confirm the code is still valid before applying it to a claim, because additions and revisions land with each October update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-code-hierarchy-parent-codes-for-s72-431r\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Code hierarchy: parent codes for S72.431R<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, S72.431R sits at the bottom of a four-level hierarchy within the fracture of lower end of femur classification. Therefore, the parent chain matters for correct specificity, and for choosing among sibling codes when laterality or fracture type differs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Code<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Description<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Level<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture of femur<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Category<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.4<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture of lower end of femur<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subcategory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.43<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture of medial condyle of femur<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subcategory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Displaced fracture of medial condyle of right femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Billable code<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, the S72 category covers every femur fracture, from femoral neck injuries at the proximal end to the distal condylar fractures in S72.4. Specifically, that subcategory groups the medial condyle, the lateral condyle, and the supracondylar regions. In turn, S72.43 narrows to the medial condyle alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 6th character then carries displacement and laterality together. Namely, characters 1, 2, and 3 are displaced right, left, and unspecified femur. Likewise, characters 4, 5, and 6 are the nondisplaced versions. For example, sibling code <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72451k\/\">S72.451K<\/a> shows the same pattern applied to the supracondylar region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-understanding-the-7th-character-r-open-fracture-type-iii-with-malunion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the 7th character R: open fracture type III with malunion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, the 7th character is where most S72 coding errors start. In fact, it shows the encounter type, whether open or closed, and how it healed, so all three must be noted before you use S72.431R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">7th character<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Meaning<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Encounter type<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">A<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter for closed fracture<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">B<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter for open fracture type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">C<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">D<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for closed fracture with routine healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">E<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with routine healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">F<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with routine healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">G<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for closed fracture with delayed healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">H<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with delayed healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">J<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">K<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">M<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">N<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Q<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Sequela<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Malunion vs. nonunion:<\/strong> Specifically, malunion means the bone healed out of line&#8212;bent, twisted, or shortened. In contrast, nonunion means it never healed at all. Specifically, for an open type III injury, malunion takes the R character and nonunion takes N. Likewise, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s52262k\/\">S52.262K<\/a> covers the same split in the forearm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, swapping these characters is a coding error that can trigger an audit&#8212;check what healing outcome the provider recorded before you pick one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-clinical-meaning-displaced-fracture-of-the-medial-condyle-of-the-right-femur\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clinical meaning: displaced fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, the medial condyle is the rounded bony prominence on the inner aspect of the distal femur, forming part of the knee joint. For example, fractures here often follow high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle collisions or falls from height. As a result, orthopedic surgeons and <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/sports-medicine-software\/\">sports medicine<\/a> clinicians see this pattern most often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Displaced:<\/strong> Specifically, the fracture fragments have moved out of normal anatomical position. Displacement and laterality share the 6th character, so 1 is displaced right and 4 is nondisplaced right. So, displaced condylar fractures often need surgery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medial condyle:<\/strong> Namely, the site on the inner side of the distal femur. Meanwhile, lateral condyle fractures are coded under S72.42x, and unspecified condyle fractures under S72.41x.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Right femur:<\/strong> Specifically, right is S72.431, left is S72.432, and unspecified is S72.433. Indeed, in every case, laterality must come from the provider, not from the coder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC:<\/strong> The first injury broke the skin and carried extensive soft tissue damage under the Gustilo-Anderson classification. By contrast, type I and type II open fractures use different 7th characters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Subsequent encounter:<\/strong> Specifically, the patient is in follow-up care after active treatment of the acute fracture. Previously, the active treatment phase for this injury uses 7th character C.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-related-icd-10-codes-for-medial-condyle-femur-fractures\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related ICD-10 codes for medial condyle femur fractures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, patients move through several sibling codes across an episode of care, as the encounter type and healing status change. Specifically, the table below lists the codes most often confused with S72.431R. First, the initial encounter code <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431c\/\">S72.431C<\/a> is where the same episode usually starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Code<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431C<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431F<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with routine healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431N<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431Q<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.431R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion (this code)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.432R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Displaced fracture of medial condyle of left femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.434R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Nondisplaced fracture of medial condyle of right femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specifically, use S72.433R for an unspecified femur only when the record genuinely does not state a side. Indeed, laterality must come from the provider&#8217;s documentation rather than the coder&#8217;s assumption. Otherwise, coding &#8222;unspecified&#8220; when the provider documented right or left is a specificity error that can trigger a claim edit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-documentation-requirements-for-icd-10-code-s72-431r\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Documentation requirements for ICD-10 Code S72.431R<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, applying this code correctly requires the medical record to support six clinical facts. Otherwise, if any one of them is absent, a different code or a provider query is warranted. In addition, a <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/medical-records-management\/\">structured patient record system<\/a> with encounter-type and fracture-status fields keeps those details in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/diagnostic_codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/comprehensive-emr-patient-record-management.webp\" alt=\"Comprehensive EMR and patient record management in Pabau\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau&#8217;s patient record keeps the Gustilo grade, laterality, and healing status on one screen, so the 7th character is easy to confirm.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px;width:800px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fracture site confirmed:<\/strong> Specifically, the documentation names the medial condyle of the femur. Otherwise, if the record says only &#8222;condylar fracture&#8220; without stating medial or lateral, query the provider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Right side specified:<\/strong> Notably, the provider clearly notes the right femur. Otherwise, if only &#8222;femur&#8220; appears, use S72.433R and consider a query for clarification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Displaced fracture type:<\/strong> Specifically, the provider notes displacement. By contrast, nondisplaced fractures of the same condyle use S72.434, S72.435, and S72.436 instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open type III confirmed:<\/strong> Specifically, the 7th character R applies only to open fractures graded IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. Meanwhile, a closed fracture takes P, and an open type I or II fracture takes Q.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Subsequent encounter status:<\/strong> Specifically, the visit is follow-up care after active treatment, not the initial emergency or surgical encounter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Malunion clinically established:<\/strong> Notably, the provider notes malunion, ideally with imaging that shows angular, rotational, or shortening deformity. Indeed, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/patient-intake-software\/\">digital clinical documentation forms<\/a> with a healing-status field help teams capture this consistently.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <div id=\"pro_tip\">\n            <div class=\"img\">\n                <svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" viewBox=\"0 0 42 42\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M12.6383 19.5238C12.6632 21.2071 12.8734 22.9926 12.0685 24.5523C11.0341 26.8917 8.45076 28.169 7.56292 30.5918C6.63082 33.1061 7.19505 36.185 9.31371 37.9786C10.929 39.5678 13.4183 39.9873 15.6061 39.5463C17.4592 39.073 19.1049 37.8388 19.9706 36.1608C20.781 34.7141 20.7866 32.9904 20.5293 31.3985C20.1006 29.3092 18.3775 27.8705 16.9807 26.362C14.8814 24.1005 14.6684 20.6854 15.595 17.8915C16.4331 15.4768 19.0026 14.2344 20.0425 11.9461C20.7202 10.6769 20.7506 9.20327 20.6068 7.81304C20.1864 5.40098 18.3139 3.23631 15.8716 2.56674C13.9742 2.03969 11.8224 2.30052 10.1739 3.37614C8.70522 4.34688 7.5878 5.86618 7.28356 7.58178C6.76081 9.82981 7.53525 12.2822 9.20307 13.9118C10.7658 15.4741 12.4806 17.2273 12.6383 19.5238Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M22.7048 19.8387C22.6822 22.3279 24.4507 24.6234 26.7493 25.4682C28.0531 25.961 29.4725 25.9183 30.7989 25.5487C32.0575 24.9955 33.301 24.2237 34.0069 23.0092C34.8384 21.5811 35.2982 19.8286 34.7832 18.2094C34.3611 16.2507 32.8739 14.6541 31.0275 13.9426C28.6736 12.9595 25.8073 13.7942 24.1719 15.7001C23.2022 16.8366 22.6143 18.3326 22.7048 19.8387Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <h3>Pro Tip<\/h3>\n                <p>First, audit your S72 subsequent encounter codes each quarter. Then, pull every claim where a routine-healing character was billed more than six months after the initial encounter date. Indeed, by that point, the record should describe the fracture as healed, malunited, or nonunited. So, routine-healing claims past the expected window are a common audit trigger.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-icd-9-cm-to-icd-10-cm-crosswalk-s72-431r-and-code-733-81\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM crosswalk: S72.431R and code 733.81<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, practices holding legacy billing data or answering audits on historical claims will find the ICD-9-CM match for S72.431R is 733.81. However, the mapping is approximate. Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aapc.com\/codes\/icd-10-codes-range\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the AAPC&#8217;s ICD-10-CM code lookup<\/a> and the General Equivalence Mappings from CMS and NCHS are the trusted references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;margin:1.5em 0 2em;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">System<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Code<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#121D36;color:#fff;padding:14px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:0.3px;border-bottom:2px solid #2BADD4\">Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">ICD-9-CM<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">733.81<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Malunion of fracture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">ICD-10-CM<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.431R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Displaced fracture of medial condyle of right femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, ICD-9-CM 733.81 was a broad malunion code that maps to many S72 malunion codes in ICD-10-CM. That one-to-many relationship means it does not convert cleanly to a single successor, so translating legacy data needs the original clinical record, not just the forward-mapping file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, the site, laterality, and open fracture grade all have to come from somewhere. For that reason, always check crosswalk results against the GEM files rather than commercial conversion tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-coding-guidelines-and-common-errors-when-using-icd-10-code-s72-431r\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coding guidelines and common errors when using ICD-10 Code S72.431R<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reference sites list the code but rarely explain where billers go wrong. Specifically, the errors below come up most often in orthopedic coding audits for this family, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/standards\/classifications\/classification-of-diseases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">WHO<\/a> and CMS rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Treating R as the closed fracture malunion code:<\/strong> Notably, this is the most frequent error on S72.431R claims. R is reserved for open type IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC injuries; instead, closed fracture malunion takes P.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skipping the Gustilo grade:<\/strong> Specifically, open type I and II injuries take Q, not R. So, check the grade in the surgery or ER record before you pick the encounter character.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confusing initial and subsequent encounters:<\/strong> Notably, using C at a follow-up visit is common. Once active treatment ends, use an F, J, N, R, or S character instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confusing malunion with nonunion:<\/strong> Specifically, N means the fracture never healed, while R means it healed out of line. Also, each needs a different CPT code, so a mismatch means diagnosis and procedure disagree.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Laterality left unspecified:<\/strong> Notably, choosing S72.433R when the record notes a side is not specific enough. It may still get paid but can fail an audit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Omitting the cause-of-injury code:<\/strong> S72.431R shows the site and healing status, not how the injury happened, so add an external cause code from the V00-Y99 range where payer rules call for it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, most errors happen when the note is written, not when the claim is sent. As a result, an <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/ehr-integration\/\">EHR<\/a> that carries the code removes that step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pabau.com\/cdn\/attachments\/pulse\/content-engine\/diagnostic_codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/automate-claims-through-healthcode.webp\" alt=\"Automated claims and billing workflow in Pabau\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau&#8217;s claims tools carry the diagnosis code from note to claim, so no one retypes a 7th character.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px;width:800px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n        <div id=\"pro_tip\">\n            <div class=\"img\">\n                <svg width=\"42\" height=\"42\" viewBox=\"0 0 42 42\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M12.6383 19.5238C12.6632 21.2071 12.8734 22.9926 12.0685 24.5523C11.0341 26.8917 8.45076 28.169 7.56292 30.5918C6.63082 33.1061 7.19505 36.185 9.31371 37.9786C10.929 39.5678 13.4183 39.9873 15.6061 39.5463C17.4592 39.073 19.1049 37.8388 19.9706 36.1608C20.781 34.7141 20.7866 32.9904 20.5293 31.3985C20.1006 29.3092 18.3775 27.8705 16.9807 26.362C14.8814 24.1005 14.6684 20.6854 15.595 17.8915C16.4331 15.4768 19.0026 14.2344 20.0425 11.9461C20.7202 10.6769 20.7506 9.20327 20.6068 7.81304C20.1864 5.40098 18.3139 3.23631 15.8716 2.56674C13.9742 2.03969 11.8224 2.30052 10.1739 3.37614C8.70522 4.34688 7.5878 5.86618 7.28356 7.58178C6.76081 9.82981 7.53525 12.2822 9.20307 13.9118C10.7658 15.4741 12.4806 17.2273 12.6383 19.5238Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M22.7048 19.8387C22.6822 22.3279 24.4507 24.6234 26.7493 25.4682C28.0531 25.961 29.4725 25.9183 30.7989 25.5487C32.0575 24.9955 33.301 24.2237 34.0069 23.0092C34.8384 21.5811 35.2982 19.8286 34.7832 18.2094C34.3611 16.2507 32.8739 14.6541 31.0275 13.9426C28.6736 12.9595 25.8073 13.7942 24.1719 15.7001C23.2022 16.8366 22.6143 18.3326 22.7048 19.8387Z\"\n                        fill=\"#2BADD4\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                <h3>Pro Tip<\/h3>\n                <p>First, record the Gustilo-Anderson grade at the initial encounter. Then, if a patient transfers mid-treatment and the grade is unclear, ask for the surgery or ER records, since it drives every later encounter character.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-pabau-supports-icd-10-coding-and-claim-accuracy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Pabau supports ICD-10 coding and claim accuracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today the coder looks S72.431R up on a reference site, then retypes it into a separate billing system. Consequently, that handoff is where a 7th character quietly turns into the wrong one, and where the claim stops matching the note behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By contrast, practice management software like Pabau removes the retyping step. Instead, staff search for and attach the diagnosis code inside the patient record at the point of care. The code then flows into the claim unchanged, so laterality and 7th character errors have nowhere to enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, orthopedic, sports medicine, and rehabilitation teams often track fracture cases across many encounters. Similarly, for them, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/physical-therapy-emr\/\">physical therapy EMR software<\/a> keeps the episode record consistent from the initial encounter through discharge. Pabau&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/claims-management-software\/\">claims management tools<\/a> then surface the attached code next to the clinical note, so you can confirm it matches what the provider documented.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"book_a_demo\">\n            <div class=\"left-side\">\n                <div class=\"logo\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Logo.svg\"\n                        alt=\"Logo\"\n                        loading=\"lazy\"\n                    \/>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"heading\">\n                    Keep ICD-10 codes and clinical notes in step                <\/h3>\n\n                <p class=\"description\">\n                    Pabau attaches diagnosis codes inside the patient record and carries them through to claim submission without re-keying. That keeps encounter type, laterality, and healing status consistent across every visit in a fracture episode.                <\/p>\n\n                <div class=\"button-group\">\n                    <a href=\"\/book-demo\/\" class=\"btn btn-scale-effect btn-cta-color btn-md\">\n                        <span class=\"btn-text\">Book a demo<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"btn-icon btn-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <svg\n                                width=\"14\"\n                                height=\"12\"\n                                viewBox=\"0 0 14 12\"\n                                fill=\"none\"\n                                xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\n                            >\n                                <path\n                                    d=\"M0.75 4.77295C0.335786 4.77295 0 5.10874 0 5.52295C0 5.93716 0.335786 6.27295 0.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295ZM13.2803 6.05328C13.5732 5.76039 13.5732 5.28551 13.2803 4.99262L8.50736 0.219648C8.21447 -0.073245 7.73959 -0.073245 7.4467 0.219648C7.15381 0.512542 7.15381 0.987415 7.4467 1.28031L11.6893 5.52295L7.4467 9.76559C7.15381 10.0585 7.15381 10.5334 7.4467 10.8263C7.73959 11.1191 8.21447 11.1191 8.50736 10.8263L13.2803 6.05328ZM0.75 5.52295V6.27295L12.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295L0.75 4.77295V5.52295Z\"\n                                    fill=\"currentColor\"\n                                ><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"right-side\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                    src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Home-Page-Concept-4.webp\"\n                    alt=\"Pabau practice management dashboard\"\n                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, S72.431R rewards one habit above all others: reading the 7th character definition in full before you assign it. However, the letter only looks like a generic malunion marker; it is not. In fact, it commits the claim to an open type III injury that the original operative record has to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, practices that capture the Gustilo grade, the side, and the healing status at the point of care rarely have to revisit this code. By contrast, those that treat coding as a step after documentation end up choosing between P, Q, and R from an incomplete note. In the end, the correction costs far more than the original query would have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An integrated <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/practice-management-software\/\">practice management<\/a> platform keeps that decision inside the clinical record instead of a separate lookup. So, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/book-demo\/\">book a demo<\/a> to see how Pabau keeps fracture coding accurate across every encounter in an episode.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"expert_picks\">\n            <div class=\"header\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Expert-Picks.svg\" alt=\"Continue your research\" height=\"42\" width=\"42\">\n                                <h3>Continue your research<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"content\">\n                                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Coding another subsequent encounter injury?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s21439d\/\">S21.439D<\/a> walks through the same 7th character logic for a thoracic puncture wound.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing the surgical side of fracture care?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-20938\/\">CPT code 20938<\/a> covers structural autograft documentation and the modifiers that go with it.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Documenting ligament findings alongside a fracture?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/eversion-stress-test\/\">Eversion stress test<\/a> explains how to perform the maneuver and record the findings defensibly.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Assessing limb length after malunion?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/supine-to-long-sit-test\/\">Supine to long sit test<\/a> shows how clinicians screen for apparent leg length discrepancy.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786604731219\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does ICD-10 Code S72.431R mean?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Put simply, ICD-10 Code S72.431R is a billable ICD-10-CM code for a displaced fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur. Specifically, it applies at a later encounter, once an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC fracture has healed with malunion, out of its normal position.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786604731220\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is S72.431R a billable ICD-10-CM code?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. S72.431R is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 code set, so payers accept it as-is on claims.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786604731221\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Does S72.431R apply to a closed fracture?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Specifically, the 7th character R is only for open fractures graded IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. Instead, a closed fracture with malunion takes P, while an open type I or II fracture with malunion takes Q. So, using R on a closed fracture is the most common error on this code.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786604731222\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between S72.431C, S72.431F, and S72.431R?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Notably, all three describe a displaced open type III fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur, and only the 7th character is different. Specifically, C is the initial encounter, F is a subsequent encounter with routine healing, and R is a subsequent encounter with malunion.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786604731223\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does malunion mean in fracture coding?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Malunion means the bone healed out of line, bent, twisted, or shortened, instead of straight. In contrast, nonunion means the bone never healed at all. So, malunion takes P, Q, or R depending on the fracture grade, while nonunion takes K, M, or N.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786604731224\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What documentation is required to use ICD-10 Code S72.431R?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Specifically, the record must show a displaced fracture at the medial condyle of the right femur, graded as an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC injury, at a later encounter with malunion noted by the provider. If anything is missing, ask the provider first.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ICD-10 Code S72.431R is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for a displaced fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur. In short, it applies at a subsequent encounter, once an open fracture of type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC has healed with malunion. In fact, the open fracture requirement is where this code is most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":177364,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"86","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_seo_original_html":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1549,1550],"tags":[1680,1363],"class_list":["post-177366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diagnostic-codes","category-icd-10-cm","tag-diagnostic-codes","tag-icd-10"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>ICD-10 Code S72.431R: open medial condyle fracture malunion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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is an all-in-one healthcare practice management software platform designed for clinics, medspas, therapists, and medical professionals. It combines scheduling, electronic health records, clinical forms, payments, marketing automation, reporting, and patient engagement tools into one secure cloud system to help practices streamline operations and grow their business.\",\"foundingDate\":\"2011-10-20\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"201\",\"maxValue\":\"500\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/80e6d36732fad68140a849f3c351449b\",\"name\":\"Despina Petrushevska\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"de\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/cropped-colour-96x96.png\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/cropped-colour-96x96.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/cropped-colour-96x96.png\",\"caption\":\"Despina Petrushevska\"},\"description\":\"Despina Petrushevska is a content writer covering aesthetics, dermatology, and clinic operations, known for making detailed clinical concepts clear and engaging. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, weekend getaways, and finding inspiration in everyday experiences.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/despina-petrushevska\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731219\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731219\",\"name\":\"What does ICD-10 Code S72.431R mean?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Put simply, ICD-10 Code S72.431R is a billable ICD-10-CM code for a displaced fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur. Specifically, it applies at a later encounter, once an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC fracture has healed with malunion, out of its normal position.\",\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731220\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731220\",\"name\":\"Is S72.431R a billable ICD-10-CM code?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. S72.431R is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 code set, so payers accept it as-is on claims.\",\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731221\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731221\",\"name\":\"Does S72.431R apply to a closed fracture?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Specifically, the 7th character R is only for open fractures graded IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. Instead, a closed fracture with malunion takes P, while an open type I or II fracture with malunion takes Q. So, using R on a closed fracture is the most common error on this code.\",\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731222\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/de\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72431r\\\/#faq-question-1786604731222\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between S72.431C, S72.431F, and S72.431R?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Notably, all three describe a displaced open type III fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur, and only the 7th character is different. 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Outside of work, she enjoys photography, weekend getaways, and finding inspiration in everyday experiences.","url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/blog\/author\/despina-petrushevska\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731219","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731219","name":"What does ICD-10 Code S72.431R mean?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Put simply, ICD-10 Code S72.431R is a billable ICD-10-CM code for a displaced fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur. Specifically, it applies at a later encounter, once an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC fracture has healed with malunion, out of its normal position.","inLanguage":"de"},"inLanguage":"de"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731220","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731220","name":"Is S72.431R a billable ICD-10-CM code?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. S72.431R is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 code set, so payers accept it as-is on claims.","inLanguage":"de"},"inLanguage":"de"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731221","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731221","name":"Does S72.431R apply to a closed fracture?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Specifically, the 7th character R is only for open fractures graded IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. Instead, a closed fracture with malunion takes P, while an open type I or II fracture with malunion takes Q. So, using R on a closed fracture is the most common error on this code.","inLanguage":"de"},"inLanguage":"de"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731222","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731222","name":"What is the difference between S72.431C, S72.431F, and S72.431R?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Notably, all three describe a displaced open type III fracture of the medial condyle of the right femur, and only the 7th character is different. Specifically, C is the initial encounter, F is a subsequent encounter with routine healing, and R is a subsequent encounter with malunion.","inLanguage":"de"},"inLanguage":"de"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731223","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731223","name":"What does malunion mean in fracture coding?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Malunion means the bone healed out of line, bent, twisted, or shortened, instead of straight. In contrast, nonunion means the bone never healed at all. So, malunion takes P, Q, or R depending on the fracture grade, while nonunion takes K, M, or N.","inLanguage":"de"},"inLanguage":"de"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731224","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72431r\/#faq-question-1786604731224","name":"What documentation is required to use ICD-10 Code S72.431R?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Specifically, the record must show a displaced fracture at the medial condyle of the right femur, graded as an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC injury, at a later encounter with malunion noted by the provider. If anything is missing, ask the provider first.","inLanguage":"de"},"inLanguage":"de"}]}},"yoast":{"focus_keyword":"ICD-10 Code S72.431R","seo_title":"ICD-10 Code S72.431R: open medial condyle fracture malunion","meta_description":"S72.431R codes a displaced medial condyle right femur fracture healed with malunion after an open type III injury.","content_score":"30","is_cornerstone":"","related_keyphrases":[{"keyword":"distal femur fracture icd-10","score":56},{"keyword":"femoral condyle fracture icd-10","score":56},{"keyword":"icd-10 fracture malunion","score":67},{"keyword":"icd-10 subsequent encounter","score":67},{"keyword":"S72.431R malunion","score":78}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/84"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177366"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":178960,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177366\/revisions\/178960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}