{"id":177794,"date":"2026-08-14T08:40:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=177794"},"modified":"2026-08-14T12:57:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T12:57:01","slug":"icd-10-code-s72309e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/","title":{"rendered":"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"headline\":\"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion\",\"description\":\"Reference for ICD-10-CM code S72.309P (unspecified fracture of shaft of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion). Covers the full 7th character set, related codes, how S72.309P differs from S72.309E, malunion versus nonunion, documentation requirements, and MS-DRG mapping.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/\",\"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\":\"2026-08-10\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-14\"}<\/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>ICD-10-CM code S72.309P covers an unspecified fracture of the shaft of an unspecified femur, subsequent encounter, closed, 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 P means the closed fracture healed in poor alignment, and the treating physician has noted that at a follow-up visit.<\/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>S72.309E is not the malunion code. Instead, it covers an open type I or II femur shaft fracture with routine healing.<\/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>Malunion means the bone healed crooked. Nonunion means it never healed, and closed nonunion takes the 7th character K instead.<\/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>Practice management software like Pabau holds encounter phase and healing status as structured fields, so coders are not guessing at follow-up.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specifically, ICD-10-CM code S72.309P reports a closed femur shaft fracture that healed in poor alignment, seen at a follow-up visit. In fact, its full descriptor is unspecified fracture of shaft of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion. Reaching it means getting the 7th character right, since that single letter separates S72.309P from the fifteen other codes built on the same base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, coders in orthopedic practices, rehab facilities, and outpatient physical therapy meet this code during follow-up care. In detail, this reference covers the descriptor, the complete 7th character set, the sibling codes, the malunion versus nonunion split, and the MS-DRG mapping. It also clears up the S72.309E mix-up, because those two codes sit close together and mean very different things. Meanwhile, rehab teams working from a <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/physical-therapy-emr\/\">physical therapy EMR<\/a> keep that follow-up detail in one record from visit to visit.<\/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\">\n<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>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ICD-10 code S72.309P: definition and billable status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, S72.309P is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM diagnosis code valid for the FY2026 code set, effective October 1, 2025. As a result, it can be reported for payment on inpatient and outpatient claims. Additionally, billable status and the current descriptor can be checked in the <a href=\"https:\/\/icd10cmtool.cdc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC ICD-10-CM browser tool<\/a>. Similarly to other injury codes, S72.309P is exempt from present on admission reporting.<\/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\">Detail<\/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\">S72.309P<\/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\">Unspecified fracture of shaft of unspecified femur, 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\">Billable or specific<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Yes, billable for payment<\/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 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Effective date<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">October 1, 2025 (FY2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">POA reporting<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Exempt from present on admission reporting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Code category<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72, fracture of femur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Subcategory<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.3, fracture of shaft of femur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Code description: what each character means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In particular, every character in S72.309P carries a distinct clinical meaning. Check each one against the physician&#8217;s notes before you assign the code.<\/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 element<\/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\">What it means<\/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\">Notes needed<\/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 (parent category)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Femur is the fracture site<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.3<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture of shaft of femur (diaphysis)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Site is the shaft, not the head, neck, or distal end<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.30<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unspecified fracture of shaft of femur<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture pattern not further specified, so not transverse, oblique, or comminuted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unspecified femur (laterality unspecified)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Left or right not noted, with a reason given in the record<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">7th character P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, closed fracture, malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Physician notes malunion, and the patient is past active treatment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Laterality note:<\/strong> the 6th character 9 is what makes S72.309P unspecified. When the record shows a side, use S72.301P for the right femur or S72.302P for the left. Otherwise, reserve the unspecified code for cases where laterality genuinely cannot be determined, and note why in the chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the 7th character in femur shaft fracture codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, the 7th character carries more meaning than any other part of a fracture code. Specifically, sixteen valid characters apply across the S72.3 group, each one showing the phase of care, the wound type, and the healing status at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ICD-10-CM Guidelines are clear here: report malunion with 7th character P, Q, or R, and nonunion with K, M, or N instead. However, aftercare Z codes never apply to fractures caused by injury. Accordingly, the set below is checked against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coding-billing\/icd-10-codes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CMS ICD-10-CM code files<\/a>.<\/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\">Encounter type<\/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\">Fracture type<\/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\">Healing status<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Active treatment<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Active treatment<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Active treatment<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Routine healing<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Routine healing<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Routine healing<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Delayed healing<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Delayed healing<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Delayed healing<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Nonunion<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">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\">N<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Nonunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">P (this code)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">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\">Q<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Malunion<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">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\">S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Any<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Late effect of the fracture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you read down each column, the logic falls out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Closed fractures: A, D, G, K, P.<\/li><li>Open type I or II: B, E, H, M, Q.<\/li><li>Open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC: C, F, J, N, R.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common mistake: the 7th character does not mark a change of provider. Instead, it only shows the phase of care, no matter who gives it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">S72.309P and S72.309E: the pair coders swap most often<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, S72.309E does not mean malunion. Instead, it means an open type I or II femur shaft fracture that is healing routinely at a subsequent encounter. In contrast, the malunion code for a closed fracture is S72.309P. The two differ on both axes that matter, so swapping them misstates the wound and the healing status in the same claim line.<\/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\">Feature<\/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\">S72.309P<\/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\">S72.309E<\/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\">Fracture type<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Open, Gustilo type I or II<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Healing status<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Malunion, healed in poor alignment<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Routine healing, on track<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Phase of care<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Typical visit<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Follow-up where the physician notes angular deformity<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Wound check on a healing open fracture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Open fracture version<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.309Q for type I or II malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.309D is the closed routine healing code<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, if you landed here searching for S72.309E, the row above is the code you want. Otherwise, if your physician noted malunion, S72.309P is the code, and the rest of this page applies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Code hierarchy and parent codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the full code tree shows where specificity is gained at each level. Consequently, each added character narrows the clinical meaning. A femoral neck code such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72041b\/\">S72.041B<\/a> sits in the same category but branches at the fourth character.<\/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\">Level<\/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\">Block<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S00-T88<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Block<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S70-S79<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Injuries to the hip and thigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Category<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture of femur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Subcategory<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.3<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Fracture of shaft of femur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Sub-subcategory<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.30<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unspecified fracture of shaft of femur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Base code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.309<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Unspecified fracture of shaft of unspecified femur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Billable code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S72.309P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related codes: the full S72.309 series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the S72.309 base code gives sixteen billable codes, one for each valid 7th character. Also, all of them share the descriptor \u00abunspecified fracture of shaft of unspecified femur\u00bb and differ only as shown below. For example, codes for other fracture patterns follow the same rule, as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72334n\/\">S72.334N<\/a> shows. Likewise, for the wider femur group, see <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s7291xh\/\">S72.91XH<\/a>.<\/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\">Encounter, fracture type &#038; healing status<\/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\">S72.309A<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter, closed 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\">S72.309B<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter, open type I or II<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309C<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter, open 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\">S72.309D<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, closed fracture, routine healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309E<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type I or II, routine healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309F<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC, routine healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309G<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, closed fracture, delayed healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309H<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type I or II, delayed healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309J<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC, delayed healing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309K<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, closed fracture, nonunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309M<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type I or II, 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\">S72.309N<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC, nonunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, closed fracture, malunion (this 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\">S72.309Q<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type I or II, malunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S72.309R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter, open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC, 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\">S72.309S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Sequela<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Malunion vs. nonunion: the distinction that sets the 7th character<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certainly, malunion and nonunion are the two complications coders confuse most, and the choice between them changes the 7th character outright. In short, the distinction is clinical. It has to come from the treating physician, since a coder cannot read it off an image.<\/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\">Feature<\/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\">Malunion<\/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\">Nonunion<\/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\">Clinical definition<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">The fracture healed, but in abnormal alignment or angulation<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">The fracture failed to heal, with no bridging bone across the fracture line<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">7th character, closed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">7th character, open type I or II<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Q<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">M<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">7th character, open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">R<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">N<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Physician wording<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Malunion, healed in varus or valgus, angular deformity after fracture<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Nonunion, failure to unite, persistent fracture line<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Imaging correlation<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Callus present but malaligned on X-ray<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Callus bridging absent, and the fracture line persists<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Coder action<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Query when the note says malalignment without naming malunion<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Query when the note says delayed union, which is a different status<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, delayed healing is its own category, not a soft form of nonunion. A closed femur shaft fracture that is healing slowly takes 7th character G, while nonunion takes K instead. As a result, coding one for the other is a mismatch a payer can spot on the chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Radiology language alone will not support S72.309P. For example, a radiologist noting malalignment gives you a finding, not a diagnosis. Instead, the attending or treating physician has to interpret it and record malunion in their own note. The same rule governs malunion codes elsewhere in the femur category, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72452q\/\">S72.452Q<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Initial vs. subsequent encounter: when S72.309P applies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In truth, subsequent encounter does not mean a different provider. Rather, under the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.C.19.a, it means the patient has moved past active treatment into healing, recovery, or rehab. The surgeon who fixed the fracture on day one uses a subsequent-encounter character at every follow-up after that.<\/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\">Scenario<\/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\">Correct 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\">Reason<\/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\">ER visit, fracture identified and treated<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">A, B, or C<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Active treatment phase, so the encounter is 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\">Follow-up, closed fracture healing normally<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">D<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter 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\">Follow-up, physician notes malunion of a closed fracture<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">P<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter with malunion, so report S72.309P<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Follow-up, closed fracture healing slowly<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">G<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Delayed healing is its own status, distinct from nonunion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Follow-up, closed fracture has not united<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">K<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter 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\">PT or rehab visit during recovery<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Matches the physician note<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Take the healing status from the referring physician&#8217;s notes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Chronic pain or deformity long after healing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Sequela phase, where the injury is resolved but late effects persist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Documentation requirements for S72.309P<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, solid <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/medical-forms-at-your-healthcare-practice\/\">clinical documentation practices<\/a> carry every subsequent-encounter fracture code. In particular, orthopedic and <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/sports-medicine-software\/\">sports medicine practices<\/a> meet these codes at almost every follow-up. Five things have to appear in the record before S72.309P can be assigned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Fracture site:<\/strong> the record shows the femur, not the hip joint, acetabulum, or pelvis.<\/li><li><strong>Shaft location:<\/strong> the physician or radiologist places the fracture in the shaft, or diaphysis, rather than the femoral neck, head, or distal end.<\/li><li><strong>Encounter phase:<\/strong> at this point, the note shows the patient in the healing or recovery phase, not presenting for the first time.<\/li><li><strong>Fracture closure status:<\/strong> the fracture is noted as closed. An open fracture with malunion takes S72.309Q or S72.309R instead.<\/li><li><strong>Malunion diagnosis:<\/strong> the treating physician records malunion, or matching wording such as healed with varus deformity. A radiology finding alone will not do.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, practices carrying a musculoskeletal caseload can capture those elements with <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/patient-intake-software\/\">digital intake forms<\/a>. Specifically, good forms ask for encounter phase and healing status at every visit. Otherwise, where laterality is genuinely unknown, as in a multi-trauma admission without side-specific imaging, record the reason. So, that note is what supports the unspecified code if the claim is reviewed.<\/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-s72309e\/customizable-consent-and-intake-forms.webp\" alt=\"Customizable consent and intake forms in Pabau\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau forms run in sections with required fields and a signature step, so encounter phase and healing status are captured rather than remembered.<\/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, audit your S72.3 subsequent-encounter codes once a month and compare the volumes of D, G, K, and P against each other. When P and K rarely appear next to a healthy count of D, malunion is probably slipping through the notes rather than genuinely absent. Take the pattern back to the treating physicians before a payer finds it first.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Submitting a clean claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most S72.309P denials trace back to missing notes that surface at the billing desk days after the visit. Working the claim in this order catches them while the note is still open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Check that the encounter is a follow-up rather than active treatment for the fracture.<\/li><li>Next, read the physician note for the word malunion or matching wording.<\/li><li>Then, check that the first fracture was closed. An open fracture moves you to S72.309Q or S72.309R.<\/li><li>Check for noted laterality and use S72.301P or S72.302P when a side is recorded.<\/li><li>Add the external cause code from the first injury only when your payer requires it on subsequent encounters.<\/li><li>Sequence S72.309P against the reason for the visit, since the malunion is usually what brings the patient in.<\/li><li>Query the physician before submission when the note describes deformity without naming the complication.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, payer rules vary on how much of the first injury&#8217;s detail has to travel with a subsequent-encounter claim. For instance, some commercial plans want the external cause code on every line. Conversely, others accept the fracture code alone. Check the policy once per payer and record the answer, rather than resolving it claim by claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MS-DRG mapping for S72.309P<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On inpatient claims, S72.309P groups differently from the acute fracture codes. Consequently, coders who assume the whole S72.309 series lands in one place get caught out. Under the MS-DRG v43.0 grouper for FY2026, S72.309P falls into the other musculoskeletal diagnoses group rather than the femur fracture group. In contrast, the initial-encounter code S72.309A maps to MS-DRG 533 or 534, fractures of femur. Therefore, check each admission against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aapc.com\/codes\/icd-10-codes-range\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AAPC ICD-10-CM lookup<\/a> and the CMS grouper files.<\/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\">MS-DRG<\/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\">CC or MCC requirement<\/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\">564<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Other musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses with MCC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">A noted major complication or comorbidity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">565<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Other musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses with CC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">A noted complication or comorbidity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">566<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Other musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses without CC or MCC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">No qualifying secondary diagnosis noted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which of the three applies depends on the secondary diagnoses on the admission, not on the malunion itself. Therefore, that makes comorbidity capture the one lever inpatient coders control here. Confirm borderline cases with your clinical documentation improvement team before the claim goes out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Approximate synonyms and alternate wording<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, encoder searches and physician wording rarely match the tabular descriptor word for word. Still, these alternate phrasings all resolve to S72.309P.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Closed fracture of shaft of femur with malunion, subsequent encounter<\/li><li>Malunion of femoral diaphysis fracture, follow-up visit<\/li><li>Femur shaft fracture healed in poor alignment, closed, subsequent care<\/li><li>Unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion complication, subsequent encounter<\/li><li>Follow-up for closed femur shaft fracture complicated by malunion<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common coding mistakes to avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five errors account for most S72.309P denials and audit flags. Catching them before submission takes far less work than appealing afterward. When a 7th character looks wrong, confirm the descriptor against the tabular list before the claim leaves the practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Reaching for S72.309E when you mean malunion:<\/strong> E is the open type I or II routine healing code, and closed malunion is P instead. That single swap misstates both the wound and the healing status.<\/li><li><strong>Confusing malunion with nonunion:<\/strong> malunion means the bone healed crooked and takes P, while nonunion means it never healed and takes K.<\/li><li><strong>Treating delayed healing as nonunion:<\/strong> use G for a closed fracture that is still healing slowly. Instead, reserve K for one the physician has actually called a nonunion.<\/li><li><strong>Using the initial-encounter suffix for follow-up visits:<\/strong> defaulting to A is a habit worth breaking. Once active treatment is over, A is wrong regardless of who is seeing the patient.<\/li><li><strong>Leaving laterality unspecified without rationale:<\/strong> instead, use S72.301P for the right femur and S72.302P for the left whenever the record names a side.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Pabau supports accurate ICD-10 coding workflows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, wrong 7th characters start in the exam room, not at the billing desk. If the follow-up note never records healing status, no amount of care downstream will recover it. Therefore, that is a workflow problem, and practice management software is where it gets solved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specifically, Pabau, our practice management software, keeps the clinical record and the billing record in one place. Digital forms capture laterality, encounter phase, and healing status as structured fields at the point of care, so the coder reads data rather than prose. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/claims-management-software\/\">claims management software<\/a> then submits and tracks the claim from that same record. It does not choose the diagnosis code for you. Instead, it makes sure the information your coder needs is already there.<\/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-s72309e\/automate-claims-through-healthcode.webp\" alt=\"Pabau checkout screen alongside an insurer-billed invoice\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Checkout and the insurer invoice come off the same visit record, which removes the rekeying step where diagnosis and encounter details drift apart.<\/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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/medical-records-management\/\">Clinical record management<\/a> in Pabau stores each encounter in a structured format that clinicians and billing teams both work from. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/ai-medical-scribe\/\">Pabau Scribe<\/a>, our AI scribe, turns the consult conversation into a chart-ready note. As a result, that removes the manual transcription step where healing status most often goes missing. Consequently, across an episode of care, that consistency keeps the 7th character stable from visit to visit.<\/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-s72309e\/comprehensive-emr-patient-record-management.webp\" alt=\"Pabau EMR patient record with treatment note sharing options\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A treatment note lands in the patient record and can be shared with the referring physician or insurer, so healing status follows the patient.<\/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=\"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                    Document fracture encounters accurately, every time                <\/h3>\n\n                <p class=\"description\">\n                    Pabau captures laterality, encounter phase, and healing status as structured fields at every visit, so your coders work from data instead of guesswork. Fewer queries. Fewer denials.                <\/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 clinical documentation and claims management dashboard\"\n                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The whole code hangs on one letter. For example, where the follow-up note names malunion and confirms a closed fracture, S72.309P is a straightforward assignment. Otherwise, where it does not, no amount of coder judgment will make the claim safe, and a query is faster than an appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So treat this as a charting problem rather than a coding one. Build the follow-up template so healing status and laterality get asked every visit, and the 7th character stops being a judgment call. <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/book-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a> to see how Pabau captures that detail for orthopedic and rehab practices.<\/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 the sequela phase of a femur fracture?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72411s\/\">S72.411S<\/a> covers the late effects of a displaced condyle fracture of the right femur.<\/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>Working further down the leg?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s82036s\/\">S82.036S<\/a> handles the sequela of a nondisplaced transverse patella 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=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Documenting a thigh soft-tissue injury?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s76129s\/\">S76.129S<\/a> applies to the late effects of a quadriceps muscle laceration.<\/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>Need a format for follow-up notes?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/therapy-progress-notes-cheat-sheet\/\">Therapy progress notes<\/a> gives you a structure that records healing status at every visit.<\/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>Coordinating care across a rehab team?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/templates\/multidisciplinary-review\/\">Multidisciplinary review template<\/a> keeps each specialist&#8217;s findings in one shared record.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 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-1786616415669\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is ICD-10 code S72.309P?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Specifically, S72.309P is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for an unspecified fracture of the shaft of an unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion. It is valid for FY2026, effective October 1, 2025. Use it at follow-up visits once the treating physician has documented that the fracture healed in abnormal alignment.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415670\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is S72.309P a billable ICD-10 code?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Indeed, S72.309P is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code in the FY2026 code set. It can be reported for reimbursement as a primary or secondary diagnosis. That covers outpatient, inpatient, and rehabilitation claims where the documentation supports every element of the descriptor. The code is also exempt from present on admission reporting.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415671\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between S72.309P and S72.309E?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Specifically, S72.309P covers a closed femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. S72.309E covers an open type I or II femur shaft fracture with routine healing at a subsequent encounter. They differ on both the wound status and the healing status, so the two cannot be used interchangeably.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415672\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between malunion and nonunion in ICD-10 coding?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Malunion means the fracture healed, but in poor alignment. Nonunion means it never healed at all. A closed femur shaft fracture with malunion takes 7th character P, and closed nonunion takes K instead. Both need explicit physician documentation, since neither can be inferred from an imaging report alone.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415673\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">When should I use S72.309P instead of S72.309D?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Use S72.309D when the physician documents that the closed femur shaft fracture is healing routinely. Use S72.309P when the physician documents malunion, meaning the bone united in abnormal alignment. If no complication is recorded, S72.309D is the correct subsequent-encounter code for a closed fracture.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415674\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What documentation is required to use S72.309P?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The record must show the femur as the fracture site and the shaft as the specific location. It must also show the fracture as closed and the visit as a follow-up rather than active treatment. Finally, the treating physician has to document malunion. A radiologist noting malalignment does not by itself satisfy that last requirement.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415675\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What MS-DRG does S72.309P map to?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Under the MS-DRG v43.0 grouper, S72.309P maps to MS-DRG 564, 565, or 566, the other musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses group. Which one applies depends on documented secondary diagnoses that qualify as a CC or an MCC. Acute femur fracture codes such as S72.309A group elsewhere, to MS-DRG 533 or 534.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1786616415676\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can a physical therapist use S72.309P?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Indeed, a physical therapist can report S72.309P on outpatient claims during the subsequent-care phase. The referring or treating physician must have documented malunion of a closed femur shaft fracture. That diagnosis has to originate in the physician documentation rather than the therapy assessment. Scope of practice and payer rules vary by state.<\/p> <\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Specifically, ICD-10-CM code S72.309P reports a closed femur shaft fracture that healed in poor alignment, seen at a follow-up visit. In fact, its full descriptor is unspecified fracture of shaft of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion. Reaching it means getting the 7th character right, since that single letter separates S72.309P from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":177792,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"82","_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-177794","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 v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"S72.309P covers unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. Review descriptor and MS-DRGs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_ES\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"S72.309P covers unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. Review descriptor and MS-DRGs.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pabau\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Pabau\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-14T08:40:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-14T12:57:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/icd-10-code-s72309e.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Despina Petrushevska\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@pabaucrm\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@pabaucrm\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Escrito por\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Despina Petrushevska\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Tiempo de lectura\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutos\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Despina Petrushevska\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/80e6d36732fad68140a849f3c351449b\"},\"headline\":\"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-14T08:40:25+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-14T12:57:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3418,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Diagnostic codes\",\"ICD-10\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Diagnostic Codes\",\"ICD-10-CM\"],\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/\",\"name\":\"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-14T08:40:25+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-14T12:57:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"S72.309P covers unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. 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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\\\/es\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/80e6d36732fad68140a849f3c351449b\",\"name\":\"Despina Petrushevska\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\",\"@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\\\/es\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/despina-petrushevska\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415669\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415669\",\"name\":\"What is ICD-10 code S72.309P?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Specifically, S72.309P is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for an unspecified fracture of the shaft of an unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion. It is valid for FY2026, effective October 1, 2025. Use it at follow-up visits once the treating physician has documented that the fracture healed in abnormal alignment.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415670\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415670\",\"name\":\"Is S72.309P a billable ICD-10 code?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Indeed, S72.309P is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code in the FY2026 code set. It can be reported for reimbursement as a primary or secondary diagnosis. That covers outpatient, inpatient, and rehabilitation claims where the documentation supports every element of the descriptor. The code is also exempt from present on admission reporting.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415671\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415671\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between S72.309P and S72.309E?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Specifically, S72.309P covers a closed femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. S72.309E covers an open type I or II femur shaft fracture with routine healing at a subsequent encounter. They differ on both the wound status and the healing status, so the two cannot be used interchangeably.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415672\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415672\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between malunion and nonunion in ICD-10 coding?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Malunion means the fracture healed, but in poor alignment. Nonunion means it never healed at all. A closed femur shaft fracture with malunion takes 7th character P, and closed nonunion takes K instead. Both need explicit physician documentation, since neither can be inferred from an imaging report alone.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415673\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415673\",\"name\":\"When should I use S72.309P instead of S72.309D?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Use S72.309D when the physician documents that the closed femur shaft fracture is healing routinely. Use S72.309P when the physician documents malunion, meaning the bone united in abnormal alignment. If no complication is recorded, S72.309D is the correct subsequent-encounter code for a closed fracture.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415674\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415674\",\"name\":\"What documentation is required to use S72.309P?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The record must show the femur as the fracture site and the shaft as the specific location. It must also show the fracture as closed and the visit as a follow-up rather than active treatment. Finally, the treating physician has to document malunion. A radiologist noting malalignment does not by itself satisfy that last requirement.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415675\",\"position\":7,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415675\",\"name\":\"What MS-DRG does S72.309P map to?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Under the MS-DRG v43.0 grouper, S72.309P maps to MS-DRG 564, 565, or 566, the other musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses group. Which one applies depends on documented secondary diagnoses that qualify as a CC or an MCC. Acute femur fracture codes such as S72.309A group elsewhere, to MS-DRG 533 or 534.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415676\",\"position\":8,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/es\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s72309e\\\/#faq-question-1786616415676\",\"name\":\"Can a physical therapist use S72.309P?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Indeed, a physical therapist can report S72.309P on outpatient claims during the subsequent-care phase. The referring or treating physician must have documented malunion of a closed femur shaft fracture. That diagnosis has to originate in the physician documentation rather than the therapy assessment. Scope of practice and payer rules vary by state.\",\"inLanguage\":\"es\"},\"inLanguage\":\"es\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion","description":"S72.309P covers unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. Review descriptor and MS-DRGs.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/","og_locale":"es_ES","og_type":"article","og_title":"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion","og_description":"S72.309P covers unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. 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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\/es\/#\/schema\/person\/80e6d36732fad68140a849f3c351449b","name":"Despina Petrushevska","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@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\/es\/blog\/author\/despina-petrushevska\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415669","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415669","name":"What is ICD-10 code S72.309P?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Specifically, S72.309P is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for an unspecified fracture of the shaft of an unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion. It is valid for FY2026, effective October 1, 2025. Use it at follow-up visits once the treating physician has documented that the fracture healed in abnormal alignment.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415670","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415670","name":"Is S72.309P a billable ICD-10 code?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Indeed, S72.309P is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code in the FY2026 code set. It can be reported for reimbursement as a primary or secondary diagnosis. That covers outpatient, inpatient, and rehabilitation claims where the documentation supports every element of the descriptor. The code is also exempt from present on admission reporting.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415671","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415671","name":"What is the difference between S72.309P and S72.309E?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Specifically, S72.309P covers a closed femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. S72.309E covers an open type I or II femur shaft fracture with routine healing at a subsequent encounter. They differ on both the wound status and the healing status, so the two cannot be used interchangeably.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415672","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415672","name":"What is the difference between malunion and nonunion in ICD-10 coding?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Malunion means the fracture healed, but in poor alignment. Nonunion means it never healed at all. A closed femur shaft fracture with malunion takes 7th character P, and closed nonunion takes K instead. Both need explicit physician documentation, since neither can be inferred from an imaging report alone.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415673","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415673","name":"When should I use S72.309P instead of S72.309D?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use S72.309D when the physician documents that the closed femur shaft fracture is healing routinely. Use S72.309P when the physician documents malunion, meaning the bone united in abnormal alignment. If no complication is recorded, S72.309D is the correct subsequent-encounter code for a closed fracture.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415674","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415674","name":"What documentation is required to use S72.309P?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The record must show the femur as the fracture site and the shaft as the specific location. It must also show the fracture as closed and the visit as a follow-up rather than active treatment. Finally, the treating physician has to document malunion. A radiologist noting malalignment does not by itself satisfy that last requirement.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415675","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415675","name":"What MS-DRG does S72.309P map to?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Under the MS-DRG v43.0 grouper, S72.309P maps to MS-DRG 564, 565, or 566, the other musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diagnoses group. Which one applies depends on documented secondary diagnoses that qualify as a CC or an MCC. Acute femur fracture codes such as S72.309A group elsewhere, to MS-DRG 533 or 534.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415676","position":8,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/es\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309e\/#faq-question-1786616415676","name":"Can a physical therapist use S72.309P?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Indeed, a physical therapist can report S72.309P on outpatient claims during the subsequent-care phase. The referring or treating physician must have documented malunion of a closed femur shaft fracture. That diagnosis has to originate in the physician documentation rather than the therapy assessment. Scope of practice and payer rules vary by state.","inLanguage":"es"},"inLanguage":"es"}]}},"yoast":{"focus_keyword":"ICD-10 code S72.309P","seo_title":"ICD-10 code S72.309P: femur shaft fracture with malunion","meta_description":"S72.309P covers unspecified femur shaft fracture with malunion at a subsequent encounter. 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