S53.40 ICD-10-CM Code: Unspecified sprain of elbow
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 S53.40 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
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament (S53.2-) Compare S53.40 vs S53.2 →
- traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament (S53.3-) Compare S53.40 vs S53.3 →
- strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-) Compare S53.40 vs S56 →
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32) Compare S53.40 vs T20 →
- frostbite (T33-T34) Compare S53.40 vs T33 →
- injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69) Compare S53.40 vs S60 →
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4) Compare S53.40 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: S53.401A, S53.401D, S53.401S, S53.402A, S53.402D.
- Requires a 7th character. "The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53" Options: S53.401A, S53.401D, S53.401S, S53.402A, S53.402D, S53.402S
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 S53.40 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
- S56 — Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level [Excludes2](via S53.4.-): “sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow (S53.4-)”
Nearest codes (40)
- S53 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow [Sibling]
- S53.21XD — Traumatic rupture of right radial collateral ligament, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- S53.21XS — Traumatic rupture of right radial collateral ligament, sequela [Sibling]
- S53.22 — Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament [Sibling]
- S53.22XA — Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, initial encounter [Sibling]
- S53.22XD — Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- S53.22XS — Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament, sequela [Sibling]
- S53.3 — Traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament [Sibling]
- and 32 more
Referenced by Other Codes
Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes on other codes that name S53.40 or its code family.
1 Excludes2 notes: S56 (via S53.4.-).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S53.40 be billed directly?
No. S53.40 (Unspecified sprain of elbow) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S53.40 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 S53.40 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S53.32 — Traumatic rupture of left ulnar collateral ligament
- S53.32XA — Traumatic rupture of left ulnar collateral ligament, initial encounter
- S53.32XD — Traumatic rupture of left ulnar collateral ligament, subsequent encounter
- S53.32XS — Traumatic rupture of left ulnar collateral ligament, sequela
- S53.4 — Sprain of elbow
- S53.401 — Unspecified sprain of right elbow
- S53.401A — Unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter
- S53.401D — Unspecified sprain of right elbow, subsequent encounter
- S53.401S — Unspecified sprain of right elbow, sequela
- S53.402 — Unspecified sprain of left elbow