M24.429 ICD-10-CM Code: Recurrent dislocation, unspecified elbow

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for M24.429 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Notes without a marker are published on M24.429 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Coder workflow for M24.429

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code M24.429

1. Unspecified does not mean incorrect. When the record gives no greater specificity, M24.429 may be the appropriate code. Check the record for detail that supports a more specific sibling. An unspecified code is for records that do not provide the detail a more specific code needs; a query, not an assumption, is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

   ReviewM24.421, M24.422

   See the relationships section · Guide: Other vs unspecified (NEC vs NOS) →

2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: unspecified). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

   ReviewM24.421 · right, M24.422 · left

   Guide: Laterality coding →

3. Check the Excludes1 note: if the documentation supports a condition named there, do not simply proceed with M24.429. Excludes1 conditions are not reported together with this code unless the record shows they are unrelated (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

   See the official tabular notes

Choose the right path

1. Does the record document the detail a more specific sibling code needs?
   Yes → Review the specific siblings in this subcategory.
   No → Continue — M24.429 is appropriate when the documentation goes no further.

   ReviewM24.421, M24.422

2. Does the documentation support a condition named in M24.429’s Excludes1 note?
   Yes → Do not simply proceed: review the excluded code. Both are reported only when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated.
   No → Continue.
3. Is the side documented?
   Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
   No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

   ReviewM24.421 · right, M24.422 · left

Consider M24.429. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement

Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

Laterality

Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

Any detail beyond this code’s title

What the record states that a more specific sibling code would capture — or its absence, which itself supports the unspecified code.

Official instructions as workflow

• Excludes1 — check before selecting M24.429(1 note)

  Coding workflow: If the documentation supports a condition named in this note, do not simply proceed with M24.429: the two are not reported together. The one exception is when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.a

• Excludes2 — not part of M24.429(6 notes)

  Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in M24.429. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

  CompareM43.3, M43.4, M43.5, M67.4, M23.8, M26.6

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse M24.429 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of M24.429 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

• M24.421— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

  The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

  What moves you there: A documented right side moves the case to M24.421.

  Full comparison: M24.429 vs M24.421 →

• M24.422— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

  The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

  What moves you there: A documented left side moves the case to M24.422.

  Full comparison: M24.429 vs M24.422 →

• M22.0— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of recurrent dislocation of patella adds M22.0; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: M24.429 vs M22.0 →

• M22.1— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of recurrent dislocation of patella adds M22.1; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: M24.429 vs M22.1 →

• M43.3— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of recurrent vertebral dislocation adds M43.3; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: M24.429 vs M43.3 →

• M43.4— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of recurrent vertebral dislocation adds M43.4; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: M24.429 vs M43.4 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Verify Before Coding

• No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name M24.429 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes1 note: M24.3 — Pathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classified (via M24.4.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 2 MS-DRGs: DRG 562 (MDC 08), DRG 563 (MDC 08).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):MUS007 — Other specified joint disorders (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same condition, opposite side

Same category and title, differing only in which side of the body is affected.

M24.421 — Recurrent dislocation, right elbow (right)Compare M24.429 vs M24.421 →, M24.422 — Recurrent dislocation, left elbow (left)Compare M24.429 vs M24.422 →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Other specified joint disorders).

+741 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Dislocation”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

H04.16 — Lacrimal gland dislocation (lacrimal gland), H27.10 — Unspecified dislocation of lens (lens), H27.11 — Subluxation of lens (lens, partial), H27.12 — Anterior dislocation of lens (lens, anterior), H27.13 — Posterior dislocation of lens (lens, posterior), J34.2 — Deviated nasal septum (septum), M22.0 — Recurrent dislocation of patella (patella, recurrent), M22.1 — Recurrent subluxation of patella (patella, recurrent, incomplete), M23.8X — Other internal derangements of knee (knee, old), M43.3 — Recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation with myelopathy (recurrent, vertebra, atlantoaxial, with myelopathy), M43.4 — Other recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation (recurrent, vertebra, atlantoaxial), M43.5 — Other recurrent vertebral dislocation (recurrent, vertebra), P11.5 — Birth injury to spine and spinal cord (spine, due to birth trauma), Q12.1 — Congenital displaced lens (lens, congenital), Q65.0 — Congenital dislocation of hip, unilateral (hip, congenital, unilateral), Q65.1 — Congenital dislocation of hip, bilateral (hip, congenital, bilateral), Q65.2 — Congenital dislocation of hip, unspecified (hip, congenital), Q65.3 — Congenital partial dislocation of hip, unilateral (hip, congenital, partial, unilateral), Q65.4 — Congenital partial dislocation of hip, bilateral (hip, congenital, partial, bilateral), Q65.5 — Congenital partial dislocation of hip, unspecified (hip, congenital, partial), +113 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of M24.429 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run M24.429 with this related code in Claim Check

Hierarchy

• M00-M99 — Chapter 13: Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99) (M00-M99)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M00-M25 — Arthropathies[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M20-M25 — Other joint disorders[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

• M24.3 — Pathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classified[Excludes1](via M24.4.-): “recurrent dislocation of joint (M24.4-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Clinical classification (CCSR)

• MUS007 — Other specified joint disorders[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)

MS-DRG Grouper

• DRG 562 — FRACTURE, SPRAIN, STRAIN AND DISLOCATION EXCEPT FEMUR, HIP, PELVIS AND THIGH WITH MCC[MS-DRG]: “FRACTURE, SPRAIN, STRAIN AND DISLOCATION EXCEPT FEMUR, HIP, PELVIS AND THIGH WITH MCC (MDC 08)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 563 — FRACTURE, SPRAIN, STRAIN AND DISLOCATION EXCEPT FEMUR, HIP, PELVIS AND THIGH WITHOUT MCC[MS-DRG]: “FRACTURE, SPRAIN, STRAIN AND DISLOCATION EXCEPT FEMUR, HIP, PELVIS AND THIGH WITHOUT MCC (MDC 08)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026

MDC crossing

• MDC 08 — Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 18,508 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Nearest codes (40)

• M24 — Other specific joint derangements[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.361 — Pathological dislocation of right knee, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.362 — Pathological dislocation of left knee, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.369 — Pathological dislocation of unspecified knee, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.37 — Pathological dislocation of ankle and foot, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.371 — Pathological dislocation of right ankle, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.372 — Pathological dislocation of left ankle, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• M24.373 — Pathological dislocation of unspecified ankle, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 32 more

Change history

• FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data

CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Inpatient payment groups Official source data

CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data

CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship

Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears

Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation

Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to M24.429 in its code family, with their registry titles.

• M24.412 — Recurrent dislocation, left shoulder
• M24.419 — Recurrent dislocation, unspecified shoulder
• M24.42 — Recurrent dislocation, elbow
• M24.421 — Recurrent dislocation, right elbow
• M24.422 — Recurrent dislocation, left elbow
• M24.43 — Recurrent dislocation, wrist
• M24.431 — Recurrent dislocation, right wrist
• M24.432 — Recurrent dislocation, left wrist
• M24.439 — Recurrent dislocation, unspecified wrist
• M24.44 — Recurrent dislocation, hand and finger(s)

View all codes in the M24 family