Oth disp fx of lower end of unsp humerus, init for opn fx

This code signifies a fracture located at the distal (lower) end of the humerus, the bone in the upper arm, where the bone fragments are no longer in their normal anatomical alignment. It specifically indicates that the skin and soft tissue overlying the fracture site have been broken, exposing the bone to the external environment (an open fracture). This code is used for the initial treatment phase of such an injury.

Use this code for a patient presenting with a newly diagnosed displaced open fracture of the lower humerus, when the specific part of the lower humerus (e.g., medial epicondyle, lateral condyle) is not documented. This applies to the initial surgical repair, casting, or other definitive treatment provided for the acute injury.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "displaced" and "open fracture" for accurate code assignment.
• If the specific anatomical site of the lower humerus fracture is known (e.g., supracondylar, epicondylar), a more specific code should be chosen.
• The "B" seventh character indicates an initial encounter for an open fracture; subsequent encounters will require different seventh characters.