Pathological fracture, right hand, sequela

This code signifies a pathological fracture of the right hand where the acute phase of the injury has passed, and the current encounter addresses a residual effect or complication directly resulting from the initial fracture. A pathological fracture occurs due to a weakened bone structure, often from an underlying disease rather than trauma. The "sequela" indicates that the current condition is a late effect of that original fracture.

Use this code when a patient presents for treatment of a long-term complication or residual condition directly attributable to a previously healed or resolving pathological fracture of the right hand. Documentation should clearly state the original pathological fracture and the current sequela being addressed. Examples include chronic pain, nonunion, malunion, or functional impairment directly linked to the past fracture.

• Always sequence this code after the code describing the specific sequela being treated (e.g., M21.041 for malunion of right hand).
• Ensure documentation explicitly links the current condition to a pathological fracture, not a traumatic one.
• Do not use this code for the initial treatment of an acute pathological fracture; instead, use the appropriate acute fracture code.