Oth physl fx upr end humer, left arm, subs for fx w nonunion

This code indicates a fracture of the growth plate (physis) at the top of the left humerus, which is not a Salter-Harris type I or II fracture, and is currently experiencing a failure of the bone to heal after a previous attempt. The patient is in a subsequent phase of care, specifically for the management of this nonunion.

Apply this code when a patient presents for follow-up treatment of a left upper humeral physeal fracture that is not healing properly, and the initial injury was not a simple separation or fracture through the metaphysis. This is appropriate for ongoing care, such as surgical intervention for nonunion, or conservative management of the unhealed fracture.

• Ensure documentation specifies "other" physeal fracture type and the left arm.
• Confirm the encounter is for the nonunion of the fracture, not the initial injury or routine follow-up of a healing fracture.
• Always sequence this code after any acute fracture codes if the nonunion is a complication of a new injury.