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Official Description

Closed treatment of humeral condylar fracture, medial or lateral; without manipulation

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of a humeral condylar fracture, specifically of the medial or lateral condyle, involves a non-invasive approach to manage a fracture located at the distal end of the humerus. The humerus, which is the long bone of the upper arm, features two prominent projections known as the medial epicondyle and the lateral epicondyle. A condylar fracture refers to a break that occurs in the area where these projections are located, effectively separating the medial metaphysis and epicondyle from the remainder of the humerus. Such fractures can also extend into the trochlea, which is the part of the humerus that articulates with the ulna, and may involve the articular surface, impacting joint function. This procedure is indicated when there is a fracture of either the medial or lateral condyle, but not both simultaneously. Prior to the treatment, separate radiographs are obtained to confirm the presence of the fracture. A thorough neurovascular examination is conducted to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the injury site. In the context of CPT® Code 24576, the procedure specifically addresses a nondisplaced fracture, meaning that the bone fragments have not shifted from their original position, and therefore, no manipulation of the fracture fragments is necessary. Following the evaluation, the arm is immobilized using a long arm cast to facilitate proper healing and prevent further injury.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of a humeral condylar fracture is indicated for specific conditions related to the distal humerus. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:

  • Fracture of the Medial Condyle A fracture occurring in the medial condyle of the distal humerus, which may affect the surrounding structures but does not require manipulation.
  • Fracture of the Lateral Condyle A fracture occurring in the lateral condyle of the distal humerus, also without the need for manipulation.
  • Nondisplaced Fracture The procedure is specifically indicated for nondisplaced fractures, where the bone fragments remain in their anatomical position.

2. Procedure

The closed treatment of a humeral condylar fracture involves several key procedural steps that ensure proper management of the injury. The following steps outline the procedure:

  • Step 1: Radiographic Confirmation Initially, separate radiographs are obtained to confirm the presence of a fracture in either the medial or lateral condyle of the humerus. This imaging is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Step 2: Neurovascular Examination A comprehensive neurovascular examination is performed to assess the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels in the area surrounding the fracture. This step is essential to rule out any potential complications that could arise from the injury.
  • Step 3: Closed Treatment Once the fracture is confirmed and the neurovascular status is deemed stable, the closed treatment is initiated. In this case, no manipulation of the fracture fragments is required, as the fracture is nondisplaced.
  • Step 4: Immobilization The arm is then immobilized using a long arm cast. This immobilization is critical to ensure that the fracture heals properly and to prevent any movement that could lead to further injury or complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment of a humeral condylar fracture, the patient will require specific post-procedure care to ensure optimal recovery. The immobilization with a long arm cast will typically remain in place for a designated period, allowing the fracture to heal without disturbance. Regular follow-up appointments may be necessary to monitor the healing process through additional radiographs. Patients should be advised on signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in sensation, which may indicate issues with the healing process or neurovascular compromise. Rehabilitation exercises may be introduced gradually once the cast is removed, focusing on restoring range of motion and strength in the affected arm.

Short Descr TREAT HUMERUS FRACTURE
Medium Descr CLTX HUMERAL CONDYLAR FX MEDIAL/LAT W/O MANJ
Long Descr Closed treatment of humeral condylar fracture, medial or lateral; without manipulation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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