Path fracture in oth disease, l hand, subs for fx w nonunion

This code signifies a pathological fracture of the left hand that has failed to heal properly (nonunion) and is a consequence of an underlying disease process, not trauma. The patient is receiving active treatment for the nonunion during this encounter.

Use this code for subsequent encounters when a patient is being treated for a nonunion of a pathological fracture in the left hand, where the fracture is due to a systemic disease (e.g., osteoporosis, metastatic cancer). Documentation should clearly state "pathological fracture," "left hand," "nonunion," and indicate that this is not the initial encounter for the fracture.

• Requires an additional code to identify the underlying disease causing the pathological fracture.
• Distinguish from malunion (M84.4-) and routine healing fractures (M84.5-).
• The 7th character "K" indicates subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion.