ICD 10 CM S42.356 | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 S42.356 describes a type of fracture that occurs in the central portion of the humerus, the long bone of the upper arm, resulting in the bone breaking into three or more fragments, without any misalignment of the fractured fragments, due to trauma from causes such as a forceful direct blow to the bone from a moving object, a motor vehicle accident, sports activities, or falling on the extended arm, and the provider has not specified whether the injury involves the right or left humerus.

Official Description Of S42.356

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S42.356 as:

Clinical Information

The diagnosis describes by the ICD 10 CM S42.356 code pertains to a specific type of injury to the humerus bone, which is the bone in the upper arm that connects the shoulder to the elbow. This injury involves a nondisplaced comminuted fracture of the shaft of an unspecified humerus.

The symptoms of this condition include severe pain and swelling in the upper arm, bruising, pain on moving the arm or bearing weight, and limited range of motion. This condition can be challenging to diagnose, and healthcare providers often rely on a combination of the patient’s history and physical examination, along with imaging techniques such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography.

The severity of a humerus fracture varies from person to person, with stable and closed fractures generally requiring less intense treatment compared to unstable and open fractures. Generally, stable and closed fractures will not require surgery but do require immobilization to give the bone time to heal. With unstable fractures, healthcare providers will need to use fixation devices to hold the bone in place while it heals. If an open fracture occurs, surgery is necessary to close the wound and stabilize the bone.

In addition to the aforementioned treatments, other options may be available, such as the application of ice with a splint or cast to restrict limb movement, physical therapy, and medications such as analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain.

It is essential to understand that treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and healthcare providers must evaluate each patient carefully to develop the most effective treatment plan. Additionally, follow-up appointments post-treatment can aid in ensuring that the bone is healing correctly and that the patient is recovering as expected.

In conclusion, injuries to the humerus bone can be challenging and debilitating, resulting in limited mobility and daily activities’ disruption. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are vital for a complete recovery. As a medical coder, understanding the ICD-10-CM S42.356 diagnosis code is essential in accurately documenting and reporting patient care.