Displaced segmental fx shaft of humerus, left arm, init

This code signifies a fracture of the main part of the left upper arm bone (humerus) that has broken into at least three pieces (segmental) and where the bone fragments are not properly aligned (displaced). This specific code is used for the initial treatment of a closed fracture, meaning the skin over the fracture site is intact.

Apply this code for patients presenting with a newly diagnosed, non-open, segmental fracture of the shaft of the left humerus. This would be appropriate for the initial emergency department visit, inpatient admission, or first outpatient encounter for definitive treatment of the fracture. It is used when the patient is receiving active treatment for the fracture.

• Confirm the fracture is of the humeral shaft, not the proximal or distal end.
• Verify laterality is left and that the fracture is explicitly documented as segmental and displaced.
• Ensure this is the initial encounter for treatment; subsequent encounters will require a different seventh character.