ICD-10 Guide

Left Ankle Fracture

ICD-10 Coding for Left Ankle Fracture(S82.842A, M84.472A)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYOrthopedics

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Left Ankle Fracture?

Essential facts and insights about Left Ankle Fracture

Key Clinical Considerations:

Pain and swelling around the left ankle
Inability to bear weight on the affected limb
Deformity or abnormal positioning of the ankle
X-ray showing fracture line in the left ankle bones

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history including mechanism of injury
Physical examination findings detailing swelling, tenderness, and range of motion
Imaging results confirming fracture type and location
Treatment plan including any surgical interventions

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Ensure to differentiate between closed and open fractures for accurate coding.
Common errors include using incorrect laterality or encounter type.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Fractures of the foot or leg not involving the ankle
Alternative codes for open fractures or other specific ankle injuries

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Orthopedics

Specialty Applications

Adults and children with ankle injuries
Emergency departments, orthopedic clinics, and outpatient settings

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Include detailed history, physical exam findings, and imaging results.

Billing considerations?

Ensure correct ICD-10 codes are used and document any surgical procedures performed.

Left Ankle Fracture

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Left Ankle Fracture

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?