Oth fx shaft of left tibia, subs for clos fx w nonunion

This code signifies a fracture located in the shaft of the left tibia, which is not further specified as comminuted, transverse, oblique, or spiral. The fracture is currently in a healing phase following initial treatment, but the bone fragments have failed to unite properly, indicating a nonunion. The skin over the fracture site remains intact.

Apply this code when documenting follow-up care for a patient with a previously treated closed fracture of the left tibial shaft that has not healed as expected. This includes situations where surgical intervention for nonunion is being planned or has been performed, or during ongoing conservative management for a nonunion. It is appropriate for subsequent visits after the initial fracture care.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "left tibia" and "shaft" to differentiate from other tibial fracture locations.
• Confirm the fracture is "closed" and that "nonunion" is explicitly stated or clearly implied by the clinical findings.
• This code is for subsequent encounters; an initial encounter code would be used for the first presentation of the fracture.