Path fx in oth disease, left radius, subs for fx w nonunion

This code signifies a pathological fracture of the left radius that has failed to heal properly (nonunion) and is occurring due to an underlying disease process. This encounter is for ongoing treatment of the nonunion, not the initial fracture. The fracture was not caused by trauma but rather by a weakened bone structure from a systemic condition.

Use this code when a patient presents for follow-up care of a left radial pathological fracture that has been diagnosed with nonunion. Documentation should clearly indicate the pathological nature of the fracture, the specific bone involved (left radius), and that the current encounter addresses the nonunion. This code is appropriate for subsequent visits after the initial treatment of the fracture.

• Ensure documentation specifies "pathological fracture" and identifies the underlying disease if known.
• Confirm the laterality (left radius) and the encounter type (subsequent encounter for nonunion).
• Always sequence an additional code for the underlying disease causing the pathological fracture.