S53.3 vs S53.4
S53.3 (Traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament) compared with S53.4 (Sprain of elbow), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).
Can these codes be reported together?
Yes, when both are documented. S53.4 carries an Excludes2 note covering S53.3: “traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament (S53.3-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| S53.3Traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament | S53.4Sprain of elbow | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header Report instead: S53.30XA, S53.30XD, S53.30XS, S53.31XA, S53.31XD | Non-billable header Report instead: S53.401A, S53.401D, S53.401S, S53.402A, S53.402D |
| Classification | S00-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) |
| Definition | Traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S53.3). | Sprain of elbow is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S53.4). |
| 7th character | The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53 | The 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