S42.472B Displaced transcondylar fracture of left humerus, initial encounter for open fracture

ICD-10-CM S42.472B: Displaced transcondylar fracture of left humerus, initial encounter for open fracture

ICD-10-CM code S42.472B identifies a displaced transcondylar fracture of the left humerus during an initial encounter for an open fracture. The terminology is active and classified as an injury or poisoning concept. Clinical literature notes displaced transcondylar humeral fractures are often managed surgically, though nonsurgical treatment may be an alternative for low-energy trauma. 1 2

Plain-language overview

This diagnosis code identifies a specific injury concept for a displaced transcondylar fracture of the left humerus, documented as an initial encounter for an open fracture. 1

What this code represents

The concept S42.472B is an active terminology record with the preferred name displaced transcondylar fracture of left humerus, initial encounter for open fracture, and it holds the semantic type of injury or poisoning. 1

Within the ICD-10-CM hierarchy, S42.472B is a narrower concept under the parent code S42.472, which denotes a displaced transcondylar fracture of the left humerus without the encounter specificity. 1

Clinical context

Clinical literature establishes that displaced transcondylar fractures of the humerus have a small fracture surface contact area, tend to face rotational force on the distal bone fragment, and are indicated for surgical intervention in most cases. 2

Research indicates nonsurgical treatment can be an alternative option for displaced transcondylar fractures of the humerus caused by low-energy trauma, despite surgical intervention being indicated in most cases to enable early mobilization. 2

Documentation considerations

The official terminology record for S42.472B includes a published abbreviation specifying an initial encounter for an open fracture, distinguishing this specific code from the broader parent concept S42.472. 1

Coverage and utilization context

The code S42.472B appears in a Medicare billing and coding article for immunizations, while a separate surveillance algorithm lists ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes to define osteoporotic humerus fractures requiring a procedure code within seven days. 3 4

What the sources add

While the terminology record provides the official code definition and hierarchy, the clinical study adds operational context that plate osteosynthesis is an accepted standard treatment for these specific adult fractures despite reported complications. 1 2

Questions to verify

Reviewers may verify whether the clinical documentation explicitly aligns with the active terminology record's preferred name and published abbreviation for this specific initial open fracture encounter. 1

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S42.472B terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Outcomes of nonsurgical treatment for transcondylar humeral fractures in adults — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Article - Billing and Coding: Immunizations (A56900) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Disclaimer — sentinelinitiative.org; accessed 2026-07-27.