Nondisp fx of shaft of unsp metacarpal bone, init

This code signifies a break in the long, central part (shaft) of one of the metacarpal bones in the hand, where the bone fragments remain in their normal anatomical position. The specific metacarpal involved is not documented. This diagnosis is for the initial treatment phase of a closed fracture, meaning the skin over the fracture site is intact.

This code is appropriate for the initial encounter when a patient presents with a metacarpal shaft fracture that imaging confirms is nondisplaced, but the specific metacarpal (e.g., second, third) is not clearly identified in the documentation. It is used for the primary treatment of the fracture, such as casting or splinting, when there is no open wound communicating with the fracture.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "nondisplaced" and "shaft" and that the specific metacarpal is not identified.
• Verify the encounter is for the initial treatment of the fracture. Subsequent care will require a different seventh character.
• Confirm the fracture is "closed"; an open fracture would necessitate a different code.