Oth physl fx lower end unsp fibula, subs for fx w nonunion

This code signifies a fracture affecting the growth plate (physis) at the lower end of the fibula, where the specific location of the fracture is not documented. It indicates that the patient is in a later stage of care for this injury, and the fracture has failed to heal properly, resulting in a nonunion.

This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters when a patient presents with a previously diagnosed, unspecified physeal fracture of the distal fibula that has not united. This would include situations where surgical intervention for nonunion is being planned or has been performed, or during ongoing conservative management for a confirmed nonunion.

• Ensure documentation clearly states "nonunion" and specifies the "subsequent encounter" for this specific fracture.
• Verify that the fracture is indeed of the physis (growth plate) at the distal fibula, even if the exact location within the physis is not specified.
• Do not use for initial encounters or for fractures that are healing normally.