Displaced comminuted fracture of shaft of left tibia, init

This code signifies a severe break in the main part of the left lower leg bone (tibia) where the bone is shattered into multiple fragments and the pieces are no longer in their normal alignment. This specific code is used for the initial treatment of such a fracture when the skin remains intact over the injury site.

Apply this code for a patient presenting with a newly diagnosed, comminuted, and displaced fracture of the tibial shaft on the left side, where the fracture has not broken through the skin. This would be used for the initial evaluation and management, such as in an emergency department or initial orthopedic consultation.

• Ensure documentation specifies "displaced" and "comminuted" for the tibial shaft.
• Verify the laterality is "left" and the encounter is "initial" for a "closed" fracture.
• Do not use for open fractures, subsequent encounters, or non-displaced/non-comminuted fractures.