Disp fx of distal phalanx of thmb, subs for fx w delay heal

This code signifies a fracture of the furthest bone in the thumb that is no longer in its proper anatomical alignment. The patient is in a later stage of care for this injury, and the bone is taking longer than expected to heal.

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters where a patient with a previously diagnosed displaced distal thumb phalanx fracture is presenting with evidence of delayed union. This would include scenarios where imaging shows incomplete healing beyond the typical timeframe, or clinical signs indicate a slower-than-expected recovery.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "delayed healing" for this specific fracture site.
• Verify the fracture is indeed "displaced" and not "nondisplaced" as this impacts code selection.
• This code is for subsequent encounters; an initial encounter would use a different seventh character.