S51.00 is the authoritative medical code for Unspecified open wound of elbow. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for unspecified open wound of elbow (ICD-10-CM S51.00), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current federal coding standards.
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Unspecified open wound of elbow is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code S51.00. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Excludes1 (not coded here): open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character); traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm S58.-. Excludes2 (not included here): open wound of wrist and hand S61.-; burns and corrosions T20-T32; frostbite T33-T34; injuries of wrist and hand S60-S69; insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4. Code also: any associated wound infection. 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S51.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S51.00 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character)
- traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm S58.-
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- open wound of wrist and hand S61.-
- burns and corrosions T20-T32
- frostbite T33-T34
- injuries of wrist and hand S60-S69
- insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- any associated wound infection
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S51.00 be billed directly?
No. S51.00 (Unspecified open wound of elbow) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S51.00 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S51.
What can't be coded together with S51.00?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes1 instructions, S51.00 must not be reported together with: open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character); traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (S58.-).
Can S51.00 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S51.00 and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-); burns and corrosions (T20-T32); frostbite (T33-T34); injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S51.00 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S51 — Open wound of elbow and forearm
- S51.0 — Open wound of elbow
- S51.001 — Unspecified open wound of right elbow
- S51.001A — Unspecified open wound of right elbow, initial encounter
- S51.001D — Unspecified open wound of right elbow, subsequent encounter
- S51.001S — Unspecified open wound of right elbow, sequela
- S51.002 — Unspecified open wound of left elbow
- S51.002A — Unspecified open wound of left elbow, initial encounter
- S51.002D — Unspecified open wound of left elbow, subsequent encounter
- S51.002S — Unspecified open wound of left elbow, sequela
View all 40 codes in the S51 family