Displ seg fx shaft of r tibia, subs for clos fx w nonunion

This code describes a situation where a patient has a broken right shin bone (tibia) that occurred in multiple pieces (segmental) along the main shaft, and the broken ends are not properly aligned (displaced). Crucially, the fracture has failed to heal after a previous treatment attempt, and the skin over the fracture site remains intact.

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters when a patient with a previously treated closed segmental fracture of the right tibial shaft is diagnosed with nonunion. This indicates that the bone fragments have not united and healing has ceased. It would be used when the patient is returning for further management of this unhealed fracture.

• Requires a seventh character "K" for "subsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunion."
• Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" and specifies the right tibia, shaft, and segmental nature of the fracture.
• Do not use for initial treatment or for malunion (improper healing) or delayed union (slow healing).