Pathological fracture, right finger(s), sequela

This code signifies a pathological fracture of the right finger(s) where the acute phase of the fracture has passed, and the patient is now experiencing residual effects or complications from the original injury. A pathological fracture occurs due to a disease process weakening the bone, rather than from trauma. The "sequela" designation indicates that this code is used for late effects of the fracture.

Apply this code when a patient presents with ongoing issues directly attributable to a previously sustained pathological fracture of the right finger(s). Documentation should clearly state the pathological nature of the original fracture, the specific finger(s) involved, and that the current encounter addresses a late effect (e.g., malunion, nonunion, chronic pain, deformity, functional limitation) of that fracture.

• Always sequence this sequela code after the code describing the specific late effect being treated (e.g., M20.091 for other deformities of right finger(s)).
• Ensure documentation specifies "pathological" fracture; otherwise, a traumatic fracture code would be more appropriate.
• Verify the laterality (right finger) and that the encounter is for a sequela and not an active, acute fracture.