Skip to main content

S53.002 vs S53.003

S53.002 (Unspecified subluxation of left radial head) compared with S53.003 (Unspecified subluxation of unspecified radial head), from the official CMS tabular data. S53.002 and S53.003 code the same condition on opposite sides. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

S53.002
Left
Unspecified subluxation of left radial head
S53.003
Unspecified
Unspecified subluxation of unspecified radial head

Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

These codes share a category and title and differ only in the side affected. The documentation decides which applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Source: ICD-10-CM tabular list (laterality variant derived from the code title)

Can these codes be reported together?

Same condition, opposite side. S53.002 and S53.003 name the same condition on opposite sides of the body.

Same category and title, differing only in which side is affected — the documentation decides which one applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Side by side

S53.002Unspecified subluxation of left radial headS53.003Unspecified subluxation of unspecified radial head
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: S53.002A, S53.002D, S53.002S

Non-billable header

Report instead: S53.003A, S53.003D, S53.003S

ClassificationS00-T88 — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)S00-T88 — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)
DefinitionUnspecified subluxation of left radial head is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S53.002).Unspecified subluxation of unspecified radial head is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S53.003).
7th characterThe appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53
Includes
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
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

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources