S72.136N Nondisplaced apophyseal fracture of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion

ICD-10-CM S72.136N: Nondisplaced Apophyseal Fracture of Unspecified Femur, Subsequent Encounter for Open Fracture Type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with Nonunion

ICD-10-CM code S72.136N identifies a subsequent encounter for a nondisplaced apophyseal fracture of an unspecified femur, specifically when an open type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC fracture has resulted in nonunion. This classification is active and designates an injury or poisoning concept within the ICD-10-CM version 2026 terminology. 1 4

Plain-language overview

The official label for S72.136N is a nondisplaced apophyseal fracture of an unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion. 1

What this code represents

S72.136N is an active terminology record with the semantic type of injury or poisoning, and it falls under the parent concept S72.136 for nondisplaced apophyseal fractures of an unspecified femur. 1

Clinical context

Open fractures involve a traumatic violation of soft tissue and skin exposing the fractured bone to the external environment, and nonunion is a recognized complication of such injuries. 2 3

Type III open fractures are subdivided into IIIA with adequate soft tissue coverage, IIIB with soft tissue loss, and IIIC involving vascular injury requiring repair. 2 3 5

Coding details

The published abbreviation for this specific diagnosis is nondisp apophyseal fx unsp femr, 7thN, and the terminology record indicates it has narrower concepts. 1

Documentation considerations

The wound should be examined thoroughly and characterized according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification system for open fractures, as this classification dictates initial treatment. 3

What the sources add

While the terminology record defines the code structure, clinical references detail the Gustilo-Anderson classification system that distinguishes the severity of the type IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC open fractures referenced in the label. 1 3 5

Clinical references describe the AO classification of fracture wound severity as a multifaceted system designed to provide an unequivocal definition of an injury by grading skin, muscles, and neurovascular elements. 5

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S72.136N terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Acute Management of Open Long Bone Fractures — medicine.temple.edu; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Article - Billing and Coding: Major Joint Replacement (Hip and Knee) (A57765) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. Principles of management of open fractures — surgeryreference.aofoundation.org; accessed 2026-07-27.