S53 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow
S53 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below. This code also requires a 7th character before it is complete.
This code requires a 7th character
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53
- A
- initial encounter
- D
- subsequent encounter
- S
- sequela
Excludes2 — not included here, but may coexist
The excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient can have both. You may code both.
- strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-)
Code also
Both codes may be needed to describe the encounter fully. Sequencing depends on the reason for the visit.
- any associated open wound
Includes
Conditions this code covers.
- avulsion of joint or ligament of elbow
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of elbow
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of elbow
Other codes that can never be billed with S53
These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at S53. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading S53 alone.
Risk adjustment
S53 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.
Code to one of these instead S53
5 child codes. Green means billable.
Questions about S53
- Is S53 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
- No. S53 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
- Where does S53 sit in the tabular list?
- Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Injuries to the elbow and forearm (S50-S59).