Disp fx of base of metacarpal bone, subs for fx w routn heal

This code signifies a fracture at the base of a metacarpal bone, excluding the thumb, where the bone fragments are no longer in their normal anatomical alignment. The patient is in the healing phase, and the fracture is progressing routinely without complications.

Apply this code when a patient presents for follow-up care of a previously diagnosed displaced fracture at the base of the second, third, fourth, or fifth metacarpal. This is appropriate for subsequent encounters where the fracture is healing as expected, such as cast changes, follow-up X-rays showing callus formation, or routine physical therapy visits.

• Ensure documentation specifies "displaced" and "base" of a metacarpal other than the thumb.
• Confirm the encounter is for routine follow-up during the healing phase, indicated by the "D" seventh character.
• Do not use for initial treatment or for encounters involving delayed healing, nonunion, or malunion.