Pathological fracture, unsp shoulder, subs for fx w nonunion

This code signifies a fracture of an unspecified shoulder bone that occurred due to an underlying disease process, rather than trauma. The fracture has failed to heal properly, resulting in a nonunion, and the patient is receiving ongoing treatment for this complication.

Apply this code for patients presenting for follow-up care, such as cast changes, physical therapy, or surgical intervention, for a pathological nonunion of an unspecified shoulder fracture. Documentation should clearly state "pathological fracture," "nonunion," and specify the encounter as subsequent.

• Always sequence this code after the underlying disease causing the pathological fracture (e.g., osteoporosis, neoplasm).
• Ensure documentation specifies "nonunion" for this K seventh character; other seventh characters exist for routine healing or malunion.
• Avoid using this code if the fracture is due to trauma; instead, use a traumatic fracture code with the appropriate nonunion seventh character.