Displaced comminuted fx shaft of radius, unsp arm, sequela

This code describes a past injury involving a comminuted fracture of the radius shaft, meaning the bone was broken into multiple fragments and the ends were not properly aligned. The specific arm affected is not documented, and the "S" at the end indicates that this code is used to report a condition that is a late effect or complication of the original fracture, not the acute injury itself.

Use this code when documenting a current condition or complication directly resulting from a previously sustained displaced comminuted fracture of the radial shaft, where the affected arm was not specified in the original injury documentation. Examples include chronic pain, malunion, nonunion, or functional limitations that are a direct consequence of the old fracture.

• Always sequence this "S" code after the code describing the specific sequela (e.g., M84.28 for nonunion of forearm).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the prior radial shaft fracture.
• Avoid using this code for the initial or subsequent encounter for the acute fracture; those require codes from the initial or subsequent encounter categories.