Final answer:
The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 in coding for fractures includes the introduction of a mandatory seventh character, a refined category of fracture, and the inclusion of laterality to specify the side of the body affected.
Step-by-step explanation:
The changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 in coding for fractures include several important updates. One significant change is the introduction of a mandatory seventh character that is required for fracture codes to provide more information about the encounter like initial care, subsequent care, and sequelae. Another change is the refined classification of the category of fracture, allowing for better precision in defining the type of fracture. Additionally, ICD-10 introduced laterality in fracture coding to indicate if the fracture is on the left or right side of the body.
In ICD-9, the cause of fracture was often recorded, but the level of detail and specificity that ICD-10 provides far exceeds its predecessor. This includes a more comprehensive listing of various types of fractures, further differentiating them by complexity, location, and other features.