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ICD-10/S54.21XA

S54.21XA ICD-10-CM Code: Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm, initial encounter

S54.21XA is the authoritative medical code for Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm, initial encounter. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm, initial encounter (ICD-10-CM S54.21XA), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current federal coding standards.

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43.0 (FY2026), Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 073 — CRANIAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVE DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 074 — CRANIAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC (MDC 01)
  • MS-DRG 963 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH MCC (MDC 24)
  • MS-DRG 964 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH CC (MDC 24)
  • MS-DRG 965 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 24)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S54.21A). Excludes2 (not included here): injury of nerves at wrist and hand level (S64.-); 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 open wound (S51.-). 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S54.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S54.21XA in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

  • injury of nerves at wrist and hand level (S64.-)
  • 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 open wound (S51.-)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Does S54.21XA require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S54.

Can S54.21XA be reported alongside related conditions?

Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S54.21XA and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: injury of nerves at wrist and hand level (S64.-); 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 S54.21XA in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • S54.20 — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm
  • S54.20XA — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
  • S54.20XD — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
  • S54.20XS — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm, sequela
  • S54.21 — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm
  • S54.21XD — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
  • S54.21XS — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm, sequela
  • S54.22 — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, left arm
  • S54.22XA — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, left arm, initial encounter
  • S54.22XD — Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, left arm, subsequent encounter

View all codes in the S54 family