Displaced comminuted fx shaft of ulna, unsp arm, init

This code signifies a severe break in the main part of the ulna bone, characterized by the bone being broken into multiple fragments and the ends of the bone not being in their normal alignment. This specific code applies when the injury is to an unspecified arm and represents the initial treatment phase for a fracture where the skin remains intact.

Use this code for a patient presenting with a newly diagnosed comminuted and displaced fracture of the ulnar shaft, where the medical record does not specify whether the injury is to the left or right arm. This code is appropriate for the initial emergency department visit, inpatient admission, or first outpatient encounter for definitive treatment of this closed fracture.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "displaced" and "comminuted" for the ulnar shaft fracture.
• Only use "unspecified arm" when the laterality is truly not documented; otherwise, code to the specific arm (left or right).
• The "A" seventh character indicates an initial encounter for active treatment; subsequent encounters will require different seventh characters.