A 72-year-old female presents to her PCP with complaints of a sore, swollen left ankle. The patient has severe osteoporosis and Type II diabetes and states that she "tripped last night on her way to the bathroom" and thinks she sprained her ankle. Her PCP orders an x-ray of her left ankle, and the report showed a pathologic closed fracture of the left lateral malleolus. Closed treatment of the lateral malleolus is performed by an orthopedic surgeon. Select the appropriate CPT and ICD-10-CM codes for the surgeon.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct CPT code for closed treatment of a lateral malleolus fracture without manipulation is 27786, and the LT modifier indicates that the left ankle was treated. The appropriate ICD-10-CM code for a pathologic fracture of the ankle due to osteoporosis in a patient with Type II diabetes is M80.072A, indicating an initial encounter.

A 72-Year-Old Female Presents to Her PCP with Complaints of a Sore