S78.012A Complete traumatic amputation at left hip joint, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM S78.012A: Complete traumatic amputation at left hip joint, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM code S78.012A is an active terminology concept identified as a complete traumatic amputation at the left hip joint for an initial encounter. It is classified under the semantic type of injury or poisoning and appears in various coding and policy contexts, including Medicare wheelchair seating articles. 1 3

Plain-language overview

The terminology record for S78.012A identifies a complete traumatic amputation at the left hip joint during an initial encounter, providing a specific diagnostic label for this injury. 1

What this code represents

The terminology record classifies S78.012A with the semantic type of Injury or Poisoning and establishes its parent concept as S78.012, the complete traumatic amputation at left hip joint. 1

Coding details

A code tree hierarchy lists S78.012A alongside S78.012D for subsequent encounters and S78.012S for sequela, differentiating the encounter phases for complete traumatic amputation at the left hip joint. 5

The code tree shows S78.012A branches from S78.012, which is part of the broader S78.01 category for complete traumatic amputation at the hip joint, distinguishing the left side from right and unspecified sides. 5

Documentation considerations

The terminology record for S78.012A includes an abbreviation noting the initial encounter, and the code tree explicitly labels S78.012A with the initial encounter designation. 1 5

Clinical context

Clinical literature notes that following an above-the-knee amputation, patients may develop hip joint abduction, external rotation, and flexion contractures as postoperative complications. 2

What the sources add

While a terminology record defines the code's clinical meaning, a Medicare policy article includes S78.012A in a wheelchair seating policy, and a separate value set groups it with various lower limb amputations. 1 3 4

A value set groups S78.012A with other lower limb amputations and acquired absence codes, while a clinical review discusses general postoperative complications like pain and infection following amputation surgery. 2 4

Coverage and utilization context

A Medicare wheelchair seating policy article lists S78.012A alongside S78.012D, placing this specific initial encounter code within an operational context related to wheelchair seating coverage documents. 3

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S78.012A terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Amputation stump management: A narrative review — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Article - Wheelchair Seating - Policy Article (A52505) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. ValueSet '2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.113.11.1216' (1) — r4.ontoserver.csiro.au; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. ICD-10-CM 2024 | S78.01 - Complete traumatic amputation at hip joint — unboundmedicine.com; accessed 2026-07-27.