Distal Femur Fracture ICD-10-CM Codes

Learn how to code distal femur fractures in ICD-10-CM, including open, closed, displaced, and periprosthetic types, plus healing and encounter status.

By Wynona Jugueta on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Gale Alagos.

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What are Distal Femur Fracture ICD-10-CM Codes?

A distal femur fracture refers to a break near the lower end of the femur, just above the knee joint. These injuries can range from nondisplaced fractures to complex displaced fractures, and may involve the medial condyle, lateral condyle, or both. ICD-10-CM codes help categorize these fractures by location, severity (e.g., open fracture type I, type II, or type IIIA IIIB or IIIC), and healing status (e.g., routine healing, delayed healing, nonunion).

Accurate coding is critical for documenting the initial encounter, subsequent encounter, or care during complications. The classification also captures whether it’s an open fracture (e.g., initial encounter for open fracture) or closed fracture (e.g., initial encounter for closed fracture) and if the patient has conditions like a periprosthetic fracture or traumatic amputation of the thigh or lower leg.

Here are six widely used codes to document a femur fracture, particularly those affecting the shaft or distal end:

S72.401A: Unspecified fracture of lower end of right femur, initial encounter (correct for distal femur)
S72.402A: Unspecified fracture of lower end of left femur, initial encounter
S72.409A: Unspecified fracture of lower end of femur, unspecified side

Which distal femur fracture ICD codes are billable?

All the listed distal femur ICD-10-CM codes above are billable, provided the documentation supports the fracture type, laterality, and encounter status. Proper clinical documentation and coding specificity are essential for accurate billing and reimbursement.

Clinical information

Distal femur fractures often extend into the knee joint and may involve supracondylar, subtrochanteric, or condylar regions. They can result from:

High-energy trauma (e.g., car accidents, falls)
Osteoporosis-related fractures in older adults
Traumatic amputations or periprosthetic fractures post-implant placement

Treatment depends on fracture complexity and includes:

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
Addressing prosthetic implant involvement, if present
Monitoring for complications like fracture with delayed healing or nonunion

Healing progress is coded across subsequent encounters, whether for closed fractures with routine healing, open fractures type IIIA IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing.

Proper coding captures whether the patient is in the initial encounter, undergoing a subsequent encounter for open fracture, or being treated during the subsequent encounter for closed fracture recovery.

Synonyms include

Fracture of lower femur
Break in distal femur
Fracture of the end of thigh bone
Knee joint fracture
Lower thigh bone break

Commonly asked questions

Use a distal femur fracture ICD code when a patient is diagnosed with a fracture at the lower end of the femur, near the knee joint. The code should reflect the type of fracture (open or closed), specific location, side of the body, and whether it’s the initial encounter, subsequent care, or related to healing status (e.g., routine, delayed, or nonunion).

Common treatments include surgical interventions like internal fixation, intramedullary nailing, or external fixation, depending on fracture severity and type (e.g., displaced, comminuted, or open fracture type I–IIIC). Non-surgical options may involve casting, immobilization, and a structured rehabilitation program, particularly for patients with nondisplaced fractures or closed fractures with routine healing.

A diagnosis code for distal femur fracture identifies the specific location, type, and severity of a femur injury. It also communicates whether the patient receives initial treatment, follow-up care, or managing complications like delayed healing or a periprosthetic fracture.

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