Stress fracture, unsp hand, subs for fx w routn heal

This code signifies a stress fracture affecting an unspecified bone within the hand, indicating that the patient is in the healing phase and the fracture is progressing routinely. It represents a follow-up encounter for a previously diagnosed stress fracture of the hand.

Apply this code when a patient presents for a follow-up visit for a stress fracture of the hand, and the medical record indicates normal, expected healing without complications. Documentation should confirm the stress fracture diagnosis, the hand as the affected site (without specifying a particular bone), and the "subsequent encounter" status for routine healing.

• Ensure documentation specifies "stress fracture" and not a traumatic fracture, as different codes apply.
• Verify the encounter type is "subsequent" (D) and not initial (A) or sequela (S).
• Do not use if the specific hand bone (e.g., metacarpal, phalanx) is documented; more specific codes exist.