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S53.22XA vs S56

S53.22XA (Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, initial encounter) compared with S56 (Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Relationship

Informational

Excludes2 relationship

S53.22XA
Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, initial encounter
S56
Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level

Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

“strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-)”

An Excludes2 note means the excluded condition is not part of the code above it, but a patient can have both. Report both when both are documented.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. S53.22XA carries an Excludes2 note covering S56: “strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

S53.22XATraumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, initial encounterS56Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level
Billing statusBillableNon-billable header

Report instead: S56.001A, S56.001D, S56.001S, S56.002A, S56.002D

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)
DefinitionTraumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S53.22A).Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S56).
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 S56
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

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