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S53.021A vs S53.022A

S53.021A (Posterior subluxation of right radial head, initial encounter) compared with S53.022A (Posterior subluxation of left radial head, initial encounter), from the official CMS tabular data. S53.021A and S53.022A code the same condition on opposite sides.

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

S53.021A
Right
Posterior subluxation of right radial head, initial encounter
S53.022A
Left
Posterior subluxation of left radial head, initial encounter

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. S53.021A and S53.022A 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

S53.021APosterior subluxation of right radial head, initial encounterS53.022APosterior subluxation of left radial head, initial encounter
Billing statusBillableBillable
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)
DefinitionPosterior subluxation of right radial head, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S53.021A).Posterior subluxation of left radial head, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S53.022A).
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