S82.852 Displaced trimalleolar fracture of left lower leg

ICD-10-CM S82.852: Displaced trimalleolar fracture of left lower leg

ICD-10-CM code S82.852 identifies a displaced trimalleolar fracture of the left lower leg. The concept is an active injury or poisoning terminology record. Clinical literature establishes that trimalleolar ankle fractures are unstable injuries, while coding references distinguish this specific left lower leg diagnosis from unspecified and nondisplaced variants. 1 2 3

Plain-language overview

Code S82.852 identifies a displaced trimalleolar fracture of the left lower leg, categorized as an injury or poisoning concept within the ICD-10-CM terminology system. 1

What this code represents

The S82.852 terminology record is active and has no narrower concepts, meaning it represents a specific diagnosis rather than a broader category containing additional subdivisions. 1

Coding details

Code S82.852 is distinct from S82.853, which describes a displaced trimalleolar fracture of the unspecified lower leg, and from S82.854, which denotes a nondisplaced trimalleolar fracture. 3 4

Clinical context

Clinical literature establishes that a trimalleolar ankle fracture is considered unstable, and treatment is generally performed operatively, though selected groups may receive conservative treatment. 2

Classification systems for posterior malleolus fractures can guide operative or non-operative treatment, but these systems fail to fully characterize the kind of trimalleolar fracture. 2

Documentation considerations

Coding references list S82.852 with a description specifying the left lower leg and displaced nature, distinguishing it from adjacent codes for unspecified or nondisplaced trimalleolar fractures. 3 4

What the sources add

While the terminology record provides the official code definition and hierarchy, clinical literature adds operational context regarding fracture instability and general operative management for trimalleolar injuries. 1 2

Coding references provide the practical distinction between S82.852 for the left lower leg and adjacent codes for unspecified or nondisplaced trimalleolar fractures, whereas clinical sources focus on management. 2 3

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S82.852 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Current management of trimalleolar ankle fractures — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Top 50 CodesFast Forward — vitruvianhealth.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Coding 3 Painful Foot & Ankle Injuries Using ICD-10 Codes — outsourcestrategies.com; accessed 2026-07-27.