{"id":183449,"date":"2026-08-18T11:42:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:42:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/?p=183449"},"modified":"2026-08-18T12:16:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T12:16:29","slug":"icd-10-code-s78121s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/","title":{"rendered":"ICD-10 code S78.121S: Partial traumatic amputation, right thigh, sequela"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"headline\":\"ICD-10 code S78.121S: Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh, sequela\",\"description\":\"ICD-10 code S78.121S billing guide for coders and clinicians, covering the sequela 7th character, documentation and denials. Valid FY2026.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/\",\"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\":\"2026-08-18\"}<\/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 code S78.121S describes a partial traumatic amputation at the level between hip and knee of the right thigh. The &lsquo;S&rsquo; suffix marks a sequela, meaning a late effect treated after the acute phase has resolved.<\/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>S78.121S is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025) and accepted for HIPAA-covered electronic claims submission.<\/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>Do not confuse the 7th character &lsquo;S&rsquo; with &lsquo;D&rsquo;, which marks a subsequent encounter. Sequela codes cover complications of the original injury, not ongoing treatment of the injury itself.<\/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 fifth digit carries the laterality. A 1 means the right thigh and a 2 means the left thigh, so S78.122S is the matching left-side sequela code.<\/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 tracks encounter types across visits and stores the causal documentation coders need for a clean sequela claim.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ICD-10 code S78.121S<\/strong> is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for a partial traumatic amputation at the level between hip and knee of the <strong>right thigh<\/strong>, sequela. The fifth digit carries the side, so this code is always the right thigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FY2026 tabular list words the entry as \u00ab\u00a0Partial traumatic amputation at level between right hip and knee, sequela.\u00a0\u00bb Coders assign it once the original injury has healed and the patient returns with a condition caused by that amputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The code sits in category S78, traumatic amputation of hip and thigh, inside the S00-T88 injury chapter. Choosing the wrong 7th character is the most frequent denial trigger on these claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practices that select the diagnosis code inside the clinical note, rather than at the billing desk, catch that error while the record is still open. Practice management software like Pabau keeps the code attached to the encounter so nobody retypes it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"ICD-10 Revisions: Stay Updated or Fall Behind\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bqAyb-BCA0w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-s78-121s-code-details-at-a-glance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">S78.121S code details at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">S78.121S is a billable, specific code in the FY2026 ICD-10-CM tabular list. It took effect on October 1, 2025, under the annual CMS update cycle. The table below is the reference coders need before working through the clinical detail.<\/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\">S78.121S<\/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\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh, sequela<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Billable\/specific<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Yes &mdash; valid for claim submission<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Fiscal year validity<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\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 (US clinical modification)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Chapter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S00-T88: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\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\">S70-S79: Injuries to the hip and thigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Category<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S78: Traumatic amputation of 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\">Laterality<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Right thigh (fifth digit 1)<\/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<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S = Sequela<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">HIPAA transaction use<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Valid for all covered electronic transactions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-full-code-description-what-each-component-means\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Full code description: What each component means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ICD-10 code S78.121S packs four distinct clinical facts into a single code. Reading it component by component eliminates the guesswork that causes denial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Partial traumatic amputation:<\/strong> The limb segment was not completely severed. Some tissue connection remained at the time of the original injury. This separates S78.121 from its complete-amputation sibling S78.111. That code covers a complete traumatic amputation at the same level of the right thigh. Coders must verify the operative or emergency report explicitly states \u00ab\u00a0partial\u00a0\u00bb before assigning this code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>At level between hip and knee:<\/strong> The anatomical level is the femoral shaft, meaning mid-thigh above the knee joint but below the hip joint. Amputations at the hip level use a different parent category, the S78.0x series.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Right thigh:<\/strong> Laterality is required. In ICD-10-CM the fifth digit sets the side, where 1 is right and 2 is left. A left thigh amputation at this level uses S78.122 for partial or S78.112 for complete, with the matching encounter character.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sequela:<\/strong> The encounter is for a late-effect condition. The acute injury has been resolved. The patient is now being seen for a complication or condition that arose directly from the original amputation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinicians documenting follow-up care for amputee patients should clearly record the connection between the current presenting condition and the historical amputation. Without that causal link in the record, <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/claims-management-software\/\">claims management software<\/a> cannot automatically verify sequela eligibility, and coders are left guessing.<\/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-s78121s\/automate-claims-through-healthcode.webp\" alt=\"Pabau checkout screen alongside a completed insurer invoice\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau carries the diagnosis code from the encounter through to the invoice, so claims and billing use the code the clinician chose.<\/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<h2 id=\"h-understanding-the-7th-character-a-d-and-s-for-s78-121\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the 7th character: A, D, and S for S78.121<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 7th character in ICD-10-CM injury codes tells the payer which phase of treatment the encounter represents. Choosing the wrong one is the leading cause of denials on traumatic amputation claims. Coverage rules differ for initial, subsequent, and sequela encounters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/medicare\/coding-billing\/icd-10-codes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CMS ICD-10 coding guidance<\/a>, each 7th character carries a distinct clinical meaning that must match the documentation.<\/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\">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 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\">When to Use<\/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\">Clinical Example<\/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\">S78.121A<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Initial encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Active treatment of the injury is being received (surgery, casting, splinting, emergency care)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Patient presents to the ED with a partial right thigh amputation from a farming accident. Surgical debridement and stabilization are performed<\/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\">S78.121D<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Patient is still in the healing\/recovery phase but receiving routine follow-up care for the same injury<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Patient returns two weeks post-surgery for a wound check and a residual limb dressing change. The injury is healing but not yet resolved<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S78.121S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">The injury has healed; the patient is now being treated for a condition that directly resulted from that prior amputation<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Patient presents 18 months later with phantom limb pain, scar contracture, or prosthetic socket complications caused by the original partial amputation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00ab\u00a0D\u00a0\u00bb does not mean the injury happened a long time ago. It means the patient is still healing from the original injury. \u00ab\u00a0S\u00a0\u00bb means that injury has fully resolved. The current complaint is then a downstream consequence of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That sequence must be documentable in the clinical record before a coder assigns any sequela 7th character. The same rule governs <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s70259s\/\">S70.259S<\/a> and every other late-effect code in the hip and thigh block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-code-hierarchy-and-classification-for-s78-121s\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Code hierarchy and classification for S78.121S<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ICD-10 code S78.121S sits within a well-defined hierarchy. Understanding the parent structure helps coders navigate the S78 family and confirm they have selected the most specific available code. The <a href=\"https:\/\/icd10cmtool.cdc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CDC\/NCHS ICD-10-CM web tool<\/a> displays this hierarchy in full for each fiscal year.<\/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 Range \/ 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\">Chapter<\/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\">S78<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Traumatic amputation of hip and thigh<\/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\">S78.1<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee<\/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\">S78.12<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Parent code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S78.121<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">Full code<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">S78.121S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh, sequela<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This hierarchy matters for practices running <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/occupational-therapy-software\/\">occupational therapy software<\/a> with ICD-10 code lookup built in. When a coder navigates from the chapter down to the full code, each level narrows the specificity. The chapter defines the broad injury class, and the block names the anatomical region. The final digits settle partial versus complete, right versus left, and hip level versus between hip and knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-s78-121s-in-the-context-of-the-s78-code-family\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">S78.121S in the context of the S78 code family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The S78 category contains codes for all traumatic amputations of the hip and thigh. Coders frequently need to navigate laterality and completeness at once. The table below maps the sibling and related codes most likely to appear on the same claim. Rehabilitation and post-acute records often pair them with a hip sequela code such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72124s\/\">S72.124S<\/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\">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\">Key Difference from S78.121S<\/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\">S78.121A<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh, initial encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">7th character A &mdash; active treatment phase<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S78.121D<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh, subsequent encounter<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">7th character D &mdash; healing and recovery phase<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S78.111S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Complete traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, right thigh, sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Complete amputation rather than partial, at the same level and side<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S78.122S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee, left thigh, sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Left thigh rather than right, with the same completeness and level<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S78.021S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at right hip joint, sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">At the right hip joint level, not between hip and knee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #E8ECF0;background:#F9FAFB\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;font-weight:600;color:#121D36\">S78.022S<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">Partial traumatic amputation at left hip joint, sequela<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;color:#374151\">At the left hip joint level, and the opposite side<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common selection error in this family is coding S78.121S when the operative note says \u00ab\u00a0complete amputation.\u00a0\u00bb Always verify partial vs. complete in the surgical or emergency documentation before assigning any S78.12x code versus an S78.11x code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-when-to-use-icd-10-code-s78-121s-clinical-scenarios\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to use ICD-10 code S78.121S: Clinical scenarios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ICD-10 code S78.121S applies only after the original right thigh amputation has moved out of the acute and recovery phases. The following scenarios represent appropriate use. Each assumes the treating provider&rsquo;s documentation explicitly links the current condition to the historical partial amputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Phantom limb pain:<\/strong> A patient presents to a pain management practice reporting persistent neuropathic pain in the region of the amputated right thigh segment. The original partial amputation occurred three years prior. The pain is a direct sequela of that injury. Assign S78.121S as the sequela code, followed by the pain diagnosis code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scar contracture:<\/strong> The residual limb developed fibrotic scar tissue over the wound closure site, limiting range of motion and interfering with prosthetic fitting. Sequela applies because the contracture arose from the healed amputation wound.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prosthetic complications:<\/strong> The patient is seen for skin breakdown and socket adjustment issues. Both stem from the shape of the residual limb left by the original partial amputation. S78.121S supports the late-effect context; a separate code for the complication (such as the skin wound or fitting problem) is sequenced as the primary diagnosis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Psychological sequela:<\/strong> Post-traumatic adaptation difficulties attributed to the amputation event may support S78.121S alongside the appropriate mental health codes. The documentation still has to draw the causal link clearly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some encounters do not qualify for S78.121S. Routine follow-up while the residual limb is still healing takes S78.121D, and care during the acute surgical hospitalization takes S78.121A. A condition with no documented causal link to the original amputation does not qualify either.<\/p>\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>Document the causal link explicitly. Before assigning S78.121S, the clinical note must state that the current condition arose from the prior partial right thigh amputation. A note reading &lsquo;phantom limb pain, history of right thigh amputation&rsquo; is not enough. It needs to read &lsquo;phantom limb pain resulting from [date] partial traumatic amputation of the right thigh.&rsquo; That is the language coders need before they assign the sequela 7th character, and it is the first thing an auditor looks for.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-coding-guidelines-and-documentation-requirements-for-sequela\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coding guidelines and documentation requirements for sequela<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/icd.who.int\/browse10\/2019\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">WHO ICD-10 classification framework<\/a> and the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (Section I.C.19) establish specific sequencing rules for injury sequela codes. These rules override common coder assumptions and differ from aftercare coding logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-sequela-sequencing-rule\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sequela sequencing rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When coding sequela, the condition that is the sequela (the current presenting condition) is sequenced first. The injury code with the \u00ab\u00a0S\u00a0\u00bb suffix is sequenced second. This is the opposite of how many coders intuitively approach it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>First code:<\/strong> The current condition arising from the prior injury (e.g., phantom limb pain, scar contracture, neuropathy)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Second code:<\/strong> S78.121S &#8211; to identify the original injury that caused the sequela<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-sequela-vs-aftercare-the-critical-distinction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sequela vs. aftercare: The critical distinction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aftercare Z codes (Z87-series historical conditions, Z89-series acquired absence codes) describe situations where the injury has resolved and the patient is receiving routine care. Sequela codes apply when the patient is experiencing an active complication or condition caused by the prior injury. The two concepts are mutually exclusive for the same encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practices that use <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/patient-intake-software\/\">digital clinical documentation<\/a> tools can build structured templates that prompt clinicians for causal language. The compliance requirement then sits inside the visit instead of waiting for a post-visit correction. The same template approach carries over to other injury codes, including <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72309n\/\">S72.309N<\/a>.<\/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-s78121s\/digital-forms.webp\" alt=\"Pabau medical forms builder showing the clinical template library\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau&rsquo;s medical forms let you build a note template that asks the clinician for the causal sentence a sequela code needs.<\/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<h3 id=\"h-external-cause-codes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">External cause codes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the original injury, coded with S78.121A, an external cause code from the V, W, X, or Y chapter should accompany the injury code. It identifies how the amputation occurred, such as a machinery accident or a motor vehicle collision. External cause codes are not typically required on the sequela encounter. The cause of the sequela is the prior injury, and S78.121S already says so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-excludes-notes-and-related-coding-considerations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Excludes notes and related coding considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The S78 category and its parent blocks carry Excludes1 and Excludes2 annotations that affect which codes can appear on the same claim. Check them against the current FY2026 tabular list in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aapc.com\/codes\/icd-10-codes-range\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AAPC Codify ICD-10-CM lookup<\/a>. Do that before finalizing any claim that pairs S78.121S with other diagnosis codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Excludes1 notes<\/strong> mean the excluded condition cannot occur simultaneously with the code. These represent true code conflicts. Assigning both codes on the same claim will trigger an edit. Review the S78 tabular entry to confirm no Excludes1 conflict exists with your secondary diagnoses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Excludes2 notes<\/strong> mean the excluded condition sits outside this code but may be coded additionally when present. On S78-related codes, that lets a coder assign the amputation sequela code plus a code for an associated condition. Both have to be clinically documented.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use additional code instructions<\/strong> may appear on S78 entries. They call for a supplementary code covering a specific condition, such as a retained foreign body or an infection at the amputation site. Follow them whenever that condition appears in the record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amputee rehabilitation runs across many visit types and several years. Orthopedic and <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/industry\/sports-medicine-software\/\">sports medicine practices<\/a> often inherit these patients long after the original surgery. Consistent <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/features\/medical-records-management\/\">clinical records management<\/a> keeps the injury date, operative notes, and sequela documentation within reach of the coder. That cuts the audit risk that comes with thin records on sequela claims.<\/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-s78121s\/comprehensive-emr-patient-record-management.webp\" alt=\"Pabau EMR record showing treatment notes, documents and allergy alerts\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pabau&rsquo;s EMR keeps the operative note, the injury date, and every follow-up visit on one record, so the causal chain stays traceable.<\/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<h2 id=\"h-how-icd-10-code-s78-121s-affects-medical-billing-and-reimbursement\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How ICD-10 code S78.121S affects medical billing and reimbursement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sequela codes carry a specific billing profile that differs from initial or subsequent encounter codes. Payers apply their own coverage rules to late-effect visits. The documentation bar is higher too, because the causal chain has to hold up across years of records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-payer-acceptance-and-claim-submission\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Payer acceptance and claim submission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ICD-10 code S78.121S is accepted for submission on HIPAA-covered electronic transactions. Payer acceptance of the claim still depends on medical necessity documentation supporting the sequela designation. Some payers ask for a letter of medical necessity or prior authorization on late-effect visits. That is most common when the original injury happened more than 12 months earlier. Verify <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/hipaa-compliance-for-medical-offices\/\">HIPAA-covered transaction requirements<\/a> and individual payer policies before assuming universal acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-common-denial-reasons\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common denial reasons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Claims using ICD-10 code S78.121S are most commonly denied for these reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wrong 7th character:<\/strong> Using S78.121D when the injury has healed and the patient is now in sequela territory. Coders must confirm the injury resolution status with the treating provider before selecting between D and S.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Missing causal language:<\/strong> The clinical note documents the current condition but does not explicitly link it to the historical amputation. Without the causal statement, the sequela designation is indefensible on audit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Incorrect sequencing:<\/strong> Placing S78.121S as the principal diagnosis when the presenting condition (phantom limb pain, contracture) should be sequenced first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Outdated code version:<\/strong> Submitting a code from a prior fiscal year&rsquo;s edition. Always confirm FY2026 validity when working with infrequently billed diagnoses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practices using <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/ehr-integration\/\">EHR integration<\/a> can configure claim validation rules for this code. A rule that flags any S78.121S submission with no paired sequela condition code stops the denial before the claim leaves the practice. That pre-submission edit complements coder training on <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/blog\/practice-management-software\/\">practice management software<\/a> with built-in ICD-10 validation.<\/p>\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>Run a monthly audit of all S78.121S claims submitted in the prior 90 days. Check three things on each one. First, the sequencing, with the sequela condition first and S78.121S second. Second, explicit causal language in the clinical note. Third, a paired condition code on the claim. This 15-minute audit catches the three most common denial triggers before they turn into write-offs.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-pabau-supports-sequela-documentation-and-icd-10-coding\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Pabau supports sequela documentation and ICD-10 coding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sequela claims fail on documentation more often than on code selection. The causal sentence has to sit in the note, and the original injury date has to stay findable years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In most practices that history lives in free-text notes across several systems, so the coder reconstructs the chain by hand. Pabau lets you build structured note templates that prompt the clinician for the causal wording while the patient is still in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every note, injury date, and prior encounter then sits on one patient record. A coder can trace the current complaint back to the original right thigh amputation and confirm the sequela 7th character. The finished code goes into the claim without being retyped.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div id=\"book_a_demo\">\n            <div class=\"left-side\">\n                <div class=\"logo\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Logo.svg\"\n                        alt=\"Logo\"\n                        loading=\"lazy\"\n                    \/>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"heading\">\n                    Reduce coding errors and streamline sequela documentation                <\/h3>\n\n                <p class=\"description\">\n                    Pabau helps practices build clinical templates that capture the causal language sequela coding needs. It tracks encounter types across visits, so claims go out clean the first time.                <\/p>\n\n                <div class=\"button-group\">\n                    <a href=\"\/book-demo\/\" class=\"btn btn-scale-effect btn-cta-color btn-md\">\n                        <span class=\"btn-text\">Book a demo<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"btn-icon btn-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                            <svg\n                                width=\"14\"\n                                height=\"12\"\n                                viewBox=\"0 0 14 12\"\n                                fill=\"none\"\n                                xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\n                            >\n                                <path\n                                    d=\"M0.75 4.77295C0.335786 4.77295 0 5.10874 0 5.52295C0 5.93716 0.335786 6.27295 0.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295ZM13.2803 6.05328C13.5732 5.76039 13.5732 5.28551 13.2803 4.99262L8.50736 0.219648C8.21447 -0.073245 7.73959 -0.073245 7.4467 0.219648C7.15381 0.512542 7.15381 0.987415 7.4467 1.28031L11.6893 5.52295L7.4467 9.76559C7.15381 10.0585 7.15381 10.5334 7.4467 10.8263C7.73959 11.1191 8.21447 11.1191 8.50736 10.8263L13.2803 6.05328ZM0.75 5.52295V6.27295L12.75 6.27295V5.52295V4.77295L0.75 4.77295V5.52295Z\"\n                                    fill=\"currentColor\"\n                                ><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"right-side\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                    src=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Home-Page-Concept-4.webp\"\n                    alt=\"Pabau practice management platform\"\n                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting ICD-10 code S78.121S right comes down to two things. Confirm that the injury has genuinely moved into the sequela phase, and that the side is the right thigh. Then make sure the clinical note names the causal connection explicitly. Miss either one and the claim fails, however carefully the code was selected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pabau&rsquo;s structured documentation tools capture sequela-specific causal language at the point of care. That removes most of the back-and-forth between coders and clinicians that slows claim submission. <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/book-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a> to see how Pabau keeps injury and sequela coding clean from note to claim.<\/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>Working the same 7th character decision on a different injury?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s66411d\/\">S66.411D<\/a> shows how the subsequent-encounter character works once active treatment has ended.<\/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>Coding a fracture that healed in the wrong position?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s82499q\/\">S82.499Q<\/a> covers the malunion 7th character and the documentation behind it.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Need the open-fracture side of the injury chapter?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s82191b\/\">S82.191B<\/a> handles open-fracture characters and laterality in the same code.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                                                <div class=\"item\">\n                            <div>\n                                <svg width=\"20\" height=\"27\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 27\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                    <path\n                                        d=\"M18.6223 14.3857C19.1246 13.8975 19.1246 13.1045 18.6223 12.6162L12.1938 6.36621C11.6915 5.87793 10.8759 5.87793 10.3737 6.36621C9.87143 6.85449 9.87143 7.64746 10.3737 8.13574L14.6125 12.2529H2.28571C1.57455 12.2529 1 12.8115 1 13.5029C1 14.1943 1.57455 14.7529 2.28571 14.7529H14.6085L10.3777 18.8701C9.87545 19.3584 9.87545 20.1514 10.3777 20.6396C10.8799 21.1279 11.6955 21.1279 12.1978 20.6396L18.6263 14.3896L18.6223 14.3857Z\"\n                                        fill=\"#54B2D3\" \/>\n                                <\/svg>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <p><strong>Billing the surgery behind a traumatic limb injury?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/procedure-codes\/cpt-code-20690\/\">CPT code 20690<\/a> sets out the billing rules for external fixation.<\/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 another femoral injury in the same block?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pabau.com\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s72036e\/\">S72.036E<\/a> walks through a femoral neck fracture and its encounter characters.<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787040224716\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does ICD-10 code S78.121S mean?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">ICD-10 code S78.121S is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for a partial traumatic amputation at the level between hip and knee of the right thigh, sequela. The \u00ab\u00a0S\u00a0\u00bb 7th character means the original amputation has resolved. The patient is now treated for a late-effect condition caused by that injury, such as phantom limb pain, scar contracture, or a prosthetic complication.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787040224717\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between S78.121A, S78.121D, and S78.121S?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">All three codes describe the same injury, a partial traumatic amputation of the right thigh between hip and knee, at different encounter phases. S78.121A (A = initial) applies while the patient is actively receiving treatment for the amputation. S78.121D (D = subsequent) applies during healing and recovery, when follow-up care still addresses the original injury. S78.121S (S = sequela) applies only once that injury has resolved and a complication caused by it is being treated.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787040224718\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is S78.121S a billable ICD-10 code?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. S78.121S is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025) and accepted on all HIPAA-covered electronic healthcare transactions. Payer acceptance of the claim still depends on medical necessity documentation. That documentation has to establish the causal link between the current condition and the prior amputation.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787040224719\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">When should you use a sequela code instead of an aftercare code?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Use a sequela code (7th character S) when the patient has a new active condition caused by a prior injury that has already healed. Use an aftercare code from the Z-code series when the injury has resolved and the visit is routine post-treatment maintenance. The test is whether a condition resulting from the injury is being treated. If it is, sequela coding applies, and if the visit is purely maintenance, aftercare coding applies. Per the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, the two designations are mutually exclusive for the same encounter.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787040224720\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What external cause codes should be reported with S78.121S?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">External cause codes are usually not required for sequela encounters using S78.121S. Codes from the V, W, X, or Y chapter pair with the initial encounter code, S78.121A, to identify the mechanism of the original injury. Machinery accidents and transport collisions are common examples. S78.121S already tells the payer that the current condition arose from a prior partial right thigh amputation. Check individual payer rules, since some still request the original external cause on late-effect claims.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787040224721\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How is partial traumatic amputation defined in ICD-10-CM?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">In ICD-10-CM, a partial traumatic amputation means the limb segment was not completely severed at the time of injury, so some tissue connection remained. This separates the S78.12x partial codes from the S78.11x complete codes at the same anatomical level. The distinction has to be documented in the operative or emergency record. Coders cannot determine partial versus complete from the clinical presentation alone.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ICD-10 code S78.121S is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for a partial traumatic amputation at the level between hip and knee of the right thigh, sequela. The fifth digit carries the side, so this code is always the right thigh. The FY2026 tabular list words the entry as \u00ab\u00a0Partial traumatic amputation at level between right hip [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":183448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"84","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"60","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_seo_original_html":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1549,1550],"tags":[2972,3230,1543,2394],"class_list":["post-183449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diagnostic-codes","category-icd-10-cm","tag-clinical-coding","tag-clinical-coding-guidelines","tag-clinical-documentation","tag-coding-compliance"],"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 S78.121S: Partial traumatic amputation, right thigh<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ICD-10 code S78.121S covers partial traumatic amputation of the right thigh, sequela. 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The patient is now treated for a late-effect condition caused by that injury, such as phantom limb pain, scar contracture, or a prosthetic complication.\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224717\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224717\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between S78.121A, S78.121D, and S78.121S?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"All three codes describe the same injury, a partial traumatic amputation of the right thigh between hip and knee, at different encounter phases. S78.121A (A = initial) applies while the patient is actively receiving treatment for the amputation. S78.121D (D = subsequent) applies during healing and recovery, when follow-up care still addresses the original injury. S78.121S (S = sequela) applies only once that injury has resolved and a complication caused by it is being treated.\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224718\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224718\",\"name\":\"Is S78.121S a billable ICD-10 code?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. S78.121S is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025) and accepted on all HIPAA-covered electronic healthcare transactions. Payer acceptance of the claim still depends on medical necessity documentation. That documentation has to establish the causal link between the current condition and the prior amputation.\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224719\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224719\",\"name\":\"When should you use a sequela code instead of an aftercare code?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Use a sequela code (7th character S) when the patient has a new active condition caused by a prior injury that has already healed. Use an aftercare code from the Z-code series when the injury has resolved and the visit is routine post-treatment maintenance. The test is whether a condition resulting from the injury is being treated. If it is, sequela coding applies, and if the visit is purely maintenance, aftercare coding applies. Per the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, the two designations are mutually exclusive for the same encounter.\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224720\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224720\",\"name\":\"What external cause codes should be reported with S78.121S?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"External cause codes are usually not required for sequela encounters using S78.121S. Codes from the V, W, X, or Y chapter pair with the initial encounter code, S78.121A, to identify the mechanism of the original injury. Machinery accidents and transport collisions are common examples. S78.121S already tells the payer that the current condition arose from a prior partial right thigh amputation. Check individual payer rules, since some still request the original external cause on late-effect claims.\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224721\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pabau.com\\\/fr\\\/diagnostic-codes\\\/icd-10-code-s78121s\\\/#faq-question-1787040224721\",\"name\":\"How is partial traumatic amputation defined in ICD-10-CM?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In ICD-10-CM, a partial traumatic amputation means the limb segment was not completely severed at the time of injury, so some tissue connection remained. This separates the S78.12x partial codes from the S78.11x complete codes at the same anatomical level. 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The patient is now treated for a late-effect condition caused by that injury, such as phantom limb pain, scar contracture, or a prosthetic complication.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224717","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224717","name":"What is the difference between S78.121A, S78.121D, and S78.121S?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"All three codes describe the same injury, a partial traumatic amputation of the right thigh between hip and knee, at different encounter phases. S78.121A (A = initial) applies while the patient is actively receiving treatment for the amputation. S78.121D (D = subsequent) applies during healing and recovery, when follow-up care still addresses the original injury. S78.121S (S = sequela) applies only once that injury has resolved and a complication caused by it is being treated.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224718","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224718","name":"Is S78.121S a billable ICD-10 code?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. S78.121S is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025) and accepted on all HIPAA-covered electronic healthcare transactions. Payer acceptance of the claim still depends on medical necessity documentation. That documentation has to establish the causal link between the current condition and the prior amputation.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224719","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224719","name":"When should you use a sequela code instead of an aftercare code?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use a sequela code (7th character S) when the patient has a new active condition caused by a prior injury that has already healed. Use an aftercare code from the Z-code series when the injury has resolved and the visit is routine post-treatment maintenance. The test is whether a condition resulting from the injury is being treated. If it is, sequela coding applies, and if the visit is purely maintenance, aftercare coding applies. Per the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, the two designations are mutually exclusive for the same encounter.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224720","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224720","name":"What external cause codes should be reported with S78.121S?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"External cause codes are usually not required for sequela encounters using S78.121S. Codes from the V, W, X, or Y chapter pair with the initial encounter code, S78.121A, to identify the mechanism of the original injury. Machinery accidents and transport collisions are common examples. S78.121S already tells the payer that the current condition arose from a prior partial right thigh amputation. Check individual payer rules, since some still request the original external cause on late-effect claims.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224721","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/diagnostic-codes\/icd-10-code-s78121s\/#faq-question-1787040224721","name":"How is partial traumatic amputation defined in ICD-10-CM?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In ICD-10-CM, a partial traumatic amputation means the limb segment was not completely severed at the time of injury, so some tissue connection remained. This separates the S78.12x partial codes from the S78.11x complete codes at the same anatomical level. The distinction has to be documented in the operative or emergency record. Coders cannot determine partial versus complete from the clinical presentation alone.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"}]}},"yoast":{"focus_keyword":"ICD-10 code S78.121S","seo_title":"ICD-10 code S78.121S: Partial traumatic amputation, right thigh","meta_description":"ICD-10 code S78.121S covers partial traumatic amputation of the right thigh, sequela. FY2026 billing and documentation rules.","content_score":"60","is_cornerstone":"","related_keyphrases":[{"keyword":"traumatic amputation icd 10","score":61},{"keyword":"sequela icd 10 coding","score":50},{"keyword":"partial amputation icd 10 code","score":56}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/82"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183449"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183904,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183449\/revisions\/183904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/183448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pabau.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}