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Official Description

Closed treatment of humeral shaft fracture; without manipulation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Closed treatment of a humeral shaft fracture refers to a non-surgical method of managing a fracture located in the shaft of the humerus, which is the long bone of the upper arm. This procedure is specifically indicated for cases where the fracture is nondisplaced, meaning that the bone fragments have not shifted from their original position. During this treatment, the physician performs a thorough evaluation of the fracture, which includes obtaining separate radiographs to confirm the presence of the fracture. A critical component of the assessment is the neurovascular examination, which ensures that the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the fracture site remain intact and functional. Since no manipulation of the fracture fragments is necessary in this procedure, the focus is on immobilizing the arm to promote healing. Various techniques can be employed for immobilization, such as using a long arm splint, coaptation splint, hanging arm cast, humeral/shoulder spica cast, Velpeau dressing, sling and swath, or a functional brace. This approach is distinct from other treatment codes, such as CPT® Code 24505, which involves manipulation of the fracture fragments for minimally displaced fractures. Overall, the closed treatment of a humeral shaft fracture aims to stabilize the injury and facilitate the natural healing process without the need for surgical intervention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Closed treatment of a humeral shaft fracture is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Nondisplaced Humeral Shaft Fracture - This procedure is specifically performed when the fracture of the humeral shaft is nondisplaced, meaning the bone fragments remain in their normal anatomical position.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of a humeral shaft fracture involves several key steps to ensure proper management of the injury:

  • Step 1: Evaluation and Radiographs - The physician begins by conducting a thorough evaluation of the patient's arm, including obtaining separate radiographs to confirm the presence of the humeral shaft fracture. This imaging is crucial for assessing the fracture's characteristics and ensuring that it is indeed nondisplaced.
  • Step 2: Neurovascular Examination - Following the imaging, a 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: Immobilization - Once the evaluation is complete and the fracture confirmed, the next step is to immobilize the arm to facilitate healing. The physician may choose from various immobilization techniques, including a long arm splint, coaptation splint, hanging arm cast, humeral/shoulder spica cast, Velpeau dressing, sling and swath, or a functional brace. The choice of immobilization method depends on the specific needs of the patient and the nature of the fracture.

3. Post-Procedure

After the closed treatment procedure, the patient will typically be advised on post-procedure care, which may include instructions on how to care for the immobilization device, pain management strategies, and signs of potential complications to watch for, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in sensation. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the healing process and to obtain additional radiographs as needed to ensure proper alignment and recovery of the fracture. The expected recovery time may vary based on the individual patient's healing response and adherence to post-treatment guidelines.

Short Descr TREAT HUMERUS FRACTURE
Medium Descr CLSD TX HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURE W/O MANIPULATION
Long Descr Closed treatment of humeral shaft fracture; 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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.
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).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
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
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
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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