Displaced transverse fx shaft of humerus, unsp arm, init

This code signifies a break across the shaft of the humerus, the long bone of the upper arm, where the bone fragments are no longer in their normal alignment. The specific arm affected is not documented, and this code is used for the initial treatment of a fracture that has not broken through the skin.

This code is appropriate for documenting the initial encounter for a patient presenting with a transverse fracture of the humeral shaft that is clearly displaced, but the medical record does not specify whether it's the right or left arm. It would be used for the first visit where definitive treatment or evaluation for this fracture occurs.

• Ensure documentation specifies "displaced" and "transverse" morphology of the fracture.
• Only use the "A" seventh character for the initial treatment phase of the fracture.
• If the arm (right or left) is documented, a more specific code should be selected.