Greenstick fx shaft of unsp ulna, subs for fx w nonunion

This code describes a greenstick fracture affecting the shaft of an unspecified ulna that has failed to heal properly. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete break where the bone bends and cracks but does not break all the way through, typically seen in children. Nonunion indicates that the fracture has not shown signs of healing within the expected timeframe.

Use this code for follow-up encounters when a patient, typically a child, presents with a previously diagnosed greenstick fracture of the ulnar shaft that is now confirmed to be in a state of nonunion. This applies when the patient is receiving ongoing treatment for the nonunion, such as further immobilization, surgical intervention, or bone stimulation.

• Always confirm the specific bone (ulna) and the type of fracture (greenstick) from the medical record.
• Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" and that this is a subsequent encounter for the fracture.
• If the laterality (left or right ulna) is specified, a more specific code should be used.