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

This code signifies a stress fracture affecting an unspecified region of the femur, indicating a bone injury resulting from repetitive microtrauma rather than a single acute event. The "G" seventh character specifies that the patient is in a subsequent phase of care for this fracture, and the healing process is progressing slower than expected.

Apply this code when a patient presents for follow-up care of a previously diagnosed femoral stress fracture, and the physician's documentation explicitly states "delayed healing" or similar terminology indicating a slower-than-normal recovery. This code is appropriate for encounters where the focus is on monitoring the healing progress, managing complications related to delayed union, or adjusting treatment plans.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "stress fracture" and "delayed healing" for the femur.
• Verify the encounter is for subsequent care, not initial treatment or sequelae.
• Do not use for nonunion or malunion; separate codes exist for those specific complications.