Displaced pilon fx unsp tibia, subs for clos fx w nonunion

This code signifies a pilon fracture, which is a comminuted fracture of the distal tibia involving the ankle joint's weight-bearing surface. "Displaced" indicates the bone fragments are out of alignment, and "unspecified tibia" means the laterality (left or right) is not documented. "Nonunion" specifies that the fracture has failed to heal completely after a typical healing period.

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters where a patient with a previously diagnosed pilon fracture of the distal tibia, whose laterality is not specified, is being treated for a closed fracture that has not united. This would include situations where the patient is undergoing further conservative management, surgical intervention for nonunion, or evaluation of the nonunion status.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" for a closed pilon fracture of the distal tibia.
• Confirm that the encounter is subsequent to the initial treatment of the fracture.
• If laterality (left or right tibia) is documented, a more specific code should be selected.