Stress fracture, left femur, subs for fx w delay heal

This code signifies a stress fracture located in the left femur that is currently undergoing treatment, but the healing process is progressing slower than expected. It indicates that the patient has previously received initial care for this specific fracture and is now in a subsequent phase of treatment due to delayed union.

Apply this code when a patient presents for follow-up care of a left femoral stress fracture that has not healed within the expected timeframe. Documentation should clearly state "delayed healing" or "delayed union" of the left femoral stress fracture, along with evidence of ongoing treatment. This code is appropriate for encounters after the initial treatment phase.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "delayed healing" or "delayed union" for the left femoral stress fracture.
• Do not use this code for initial encounters or for fractures that are healing normally.
• Verify laterality (left femur) and the specific type of fracture (stress fracture) are clearly documented.