Other fracture of other metacarpal bone, sequela

This code signifies a fracture of any metacarpal bone, excluding the thumb, that has resulted in a long-term complication or residual effect. These sequelae can include chronic pain, nonunion, malunion, or functional impairment persisting after the initial healing phase of the fracture. It indicates that the acute injury has passed, but its lasting impact is still present.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current condition directly attributable to a previously sustained fracture of a metacarpal bone (other than the thumb). This is appropriate for follow-up encounters addressing chronic issues like persistent stiffness, deformity, or pain stemming from the old injury. It should be used when the initial fracture has healed, but its consequences are still being managed.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., M25.54- for chronic pain).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the prior metacarpal fracture.
• Verify the fracture location is not the thumb metacarpal, as that has a separate coding pathway.