Stress fracture, unsp finger(s), subs for fx w malunion

This code signifies a stress fracture in an unspecified finger that is currently healing with an abnormal alignment of the bone fragments (malunion). It indicates that the patient is receiving follow-up care for this previously diagnosed and treated fracture, where the bone has not healed correctly.

Apply this code for patients presenting for ongoing management of a stress fracture in any finger where the bone has healed in a deformed or misaligned position. Documentation should clearly state "malunion" and specify the encounter as "subsequent" or "follow-up" for the fracture.

• Requires documentation of "malunion" and "subsequent encounter" for the fracture.
• Do not use for nonunion (failure to heal) or acute fractures.
• Laterality (left/right) is not specified for this code, as it refers to "unspecified finger(s)."