Barton's Fracture Coding Flowchart

ICD-10-CM S52.56_ — Fracture of articular surface of distal radius (radiocarpal joint).

S52.561_ — Right S52.562_ — Left S52.569_ — Unspecified

STEP 1 Which wrist is affected?

STEP 2 Select the 7th character (encounter type + healing status)

STEP 3 Complete code = S52.56[laterality][7th character]

7th Char	Encounter	Fracture Type	Healing	Example (Right)
A	Initial	Closed	—	S52.561A
B	Initial	Open I/II	—	S52.561B
C	Initial	Open III	—	S52.561C
D	Subsequent	Closed	Routine	S52.561D
E	Subsequent	Open I/II	Routine	S52.561E
F	Subsequent	Open III	Routine	S52.561F
G	Subsequent	Closed	Delayed	S52.561G
H	Subsequent	Open I/II	Delayed	S52.561H
J	Subsequent	Open III	Delayed	S52.561J
K	Subsequent	Closed	Nonunion	S52.561K
M	Subsequent	Open I/II	Nonunion	S52.561M
N	Subsequent	Open III	Nonunion	S52.561N
P	Subsequent	Closed	Malunion	S52.561P
Q	Subsequent	Open I/II	Malunion	S52.561Q
R	Subsequent	Open III	Malunion	S52.561R
S	Sequela	Any	—	S52.561S