S53.20 ICD-10-CM Code: Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S53.20 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- 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
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of elbow
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions generally not reported together with this code (Excludes1) -- an error unless the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
- sprain of radial collateral ligament NOS (S53.43-) Compare S53.20 vs S53.43 →
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-) Compare S53.20 vs S56 →
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32) Compare S53.20 vs T20 →
- frostbite (T33-T34) Compare S53.20 vs T33 →
- injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69) Compare S53.20 vs S60 →
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4) Compare S53.20 vs T63.4 →
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- any associated open wound
Change history
No changes recorded for this code — unchanged since the FY2016 baseline of the change ledger.
Verify Before Coding
- Not billable as written — a more specific code is required: S53.20XA, S53.20XD, S53.20XS.
- Requires a 7th character. "The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53" Options: S53.20XA, S53.20XD, S53.20XS
From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim.
Contextual Map
Every relationship of S53.20 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.
Hierarchy
- S00-T88 — Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88) (S00-T88) [Hierarchy]
Referenced by Excludes2 notes
- S53.4 — Sprain of elbow [Excludes2](via S53.2.-): “traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament (S53.2-)”
Nearest codes (40)
- S53 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow [Sibling]
- S53.192A — Other subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint, initial encounter [Sibling]
- S53.192D — Other subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- S53.192S — Other subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint, sequela [Sibling]
- S53.193 — Other subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint [Sibling]
- S53.193A — Other subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint, initial encounter [Sibling]
- S53.193D — Other subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- S53.193S — Other subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint, sequela [Sibling]
- and 32 more
Referenced by Other Codes
Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes on other codes that name S53.20 or its code family.
1 Excludes2 notes: S53.4 (via S53.2.-).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S53.20 be billed directly?
No. S53.20 (Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S53.20 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53.
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S53.20 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S53.196 — Other dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint
- S53.196A — Other dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint, initial encounter
- S53.196D — Other dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint, subsequent encounter
- S53.196S — Other dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint, sequela
- S53.2 — Traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament
- S53.20XA — Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament, initial encounter
- S53.20XD — Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament, subsequent encounter
- S53.20XS — Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament, sequela
- S53.21 — Traumatic rupture of right radial collateral ligament
- S53.21XA — Traumatic rupture of right radial collateral ligament, initial encounter