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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS72.392

S72.392

Billable

Other fracture of shaft of left femur

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/25/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S72.392 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other fracture of shaft of left femur.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The S72.392 code refers to fractures of the shaft of the left femur that do not fall into the more specific categories of fractures, such as those classified as open or closed, or those that are associated with specific types of trauma. These fractures can occur due to various mechanisms, including high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from significant heights, as well as low-energy trauma in osteoporotic patients. The shaft of the femur is the long, cylindrical part of the femur, and fractures here can lead to significant morbidity, including pain, loss of function, and complications such as nonunion or malunion. Treatment typically involves orthopedic intervention, which may include surgical fixation with intramedullary nails or plates, depending on the fracture pattern and patient factors. Accurate coding is essential for appropriate reimbursement and to reflect the complexity of care provided.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in fracture types and patterns
  • Need for precise documentation of fracture characteristics
  • Differentiation from other femoral fractures
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional codes

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of fracture type and mechanism
  • Failure to specify laterality (left vs. right)
  • Misclassification of fracture severity (open vs. closed)
  • Omission of associated injuries or conditions

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative reports, imaging studies, and pre-operative assessments are necessary to support the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Fractures resulting from falls in elderly patients, high-energy trauma in younger patients, and complications from previous surgeries.

Billing Considerations

Documentation must clearly indicate the fracture type, treatment provided, and any complications encountered during the surgical process.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Accurate initial assessment notes, imaging results, and treatment provided in the emergency setting.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with acute pain and swelling after trauma, requiring immediate imaging and stabilization.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that the mechanism of injury is documented to support the diagnosis and any subsequent orthopedic referrals.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S72.392 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the fracture is confirmed through imaging
  • Include any relevant external cause codes if applicable

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S72.392 When
  • Exclude codes for open fractures unless specified

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

27506CPT Code

Open treatment of femoral shaft fracture

Clinical Scenario

Used when surgical intervention is performed for a left femur fracture.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing the procedure, indications, and post-operative care.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons must ensure that the procedure correlates with the diagnosis.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding fractures, including laterality and type, which improves data accuracy and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding fractures, including laterality and type, which improves data accuracy and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between S72.392 and S72.391?

S72.392 refers specifically to fractures of the shaft of the left femur, while S72.391 refers to fractures of the shaft of the right femur. Accurate coding requires specifying the laterality.