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

This code signifies a pathological fracture of the left radius that has healed improperly, resulting in a malunion. This fracture occurred due to an underlying disease process, not from trauma in an otherwise healthy bone. The patient is presenting for follow-up care related to this malunited fracture.

This code is appropriate for encounters where a patient is receiving ongoing treatment or evaluation for a left radial fracture that has healed in an anatomically incorrect position, and the original fracture was caused by a systemic disease (e.g., osteoporosis, bone tumor). Documentation should clearly state "pathological fracture," "left radius," "malunion," and indicate a subsequent encounter.

• Ensure documentation specifies "pathological fracture" and the underlying disease causing it (though the disease itself is coded separately).
• Distinguish from nonunion (M84.4-) or routine fracture healing (M84.5-); malunion implies healing in an unsatisfactory position.
• Always sequence the underlying disease causing the pathological fracture first, if applicable, followed by this code.