M84.48XK Pathological fracture, other site, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion

ICD-10-CM Code M84.48XK: Pathological Fracture, Other Site, Subsequent Encounter for Fracture with Nonunion

ICD-10-CM code M84.48XK identifies a pathological fracture at a subsequent encounter demonstrating nonunion. The terminology is active under the parent category M84.48. Nonunion denotes the body's inability to heal a fracture, which clinicians evaluate using specific functional and mechanical markers over time. 1 2

Plain-language overview

Code M84.48XK is an active ICD-10-CM terminology concept representing a pathological fracture, other site, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion. 1

What this code represents

The code M84.48XK is a narrower concept under the parent code M84.48 for pathological fracture, other site, and carries the semantic type of pathologic function. 1

The terminology record lists M84.48XK alongside M84.48XD, both of which are designated as subsequent encounters for pathological fracture, other site. 3

Clinical context

Nonunion of bone is defined as the body's inability to heal a fracture, with a widely accepted standard being a fracture unhealed for at least nine months without signs of healing for three months. 2

Clinical markers of nonunion include resolution of pain with weight-bearing, no movement at the fracture site, and physician assessment of mobility at the fracture location. 2

Documentation considerations

Documentation for nonunion involves evaluating clinical healing markers and mechanical stability, while noting that medications like bisphosphonates can affect healing time. 2

What the sources add

While the terminology record establishes the code hierarchy and active status, the clinical text provides operational definitions for nonunion, adding context to the specific encounter character. 1 2

Coverage and utilization context

A Medicare billing article for bone mass measurement lists related pathological fracture codes, but the supplied excerpt does not mention the target code M84.48XK. 4

Questions to verify

The supplied sources do not establish the specific anatomical sites included under the other site designation, nor do they provide the exact clinical documentation elements required for the seventh character K. 1 2

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM M84.48XK terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Article - Billing and Coding: Bone Mass Measurement (A57132) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.