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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code S50
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S50

Superficial injury of elbow and forearm

ICD-10-CM Code:
S50
ICD-10 Code for:
Superficial injury of elbow and forearm
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the elbow and forearm
      (S50-S59)
      • Superficial injury of elbow and forearm
        (S50)

S50 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of superficial injury of elbow and forearm. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Superficial injury of elbow and forearm

Non-specific codes like S50 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for superficial injury of elbow and forearm:

  • S50.0 for Contusion of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.00 for Contusion of unspecified elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.01 for Contusion of right elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.02 for Contusion of left elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.1 for Contusion of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.10 for Contusion of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.11 for Contusion of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.12 for Contusion of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.3 for Other superficial injuries of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.31 for Abrasion of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.32 for Blister (nonthermal) of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.34 for External constriction of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.35 for Superficial foreign body of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.36 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.37 for Other superficial bite of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.8 for Other superficial injuries of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.81 for Abrasion of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.82 for Blister (nonthermal) of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.84 for External constriction of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.85 for Superficial foreign body of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.86 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.87 for Other superficial bite of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.9 for Unspecified superficial injury of elbow and forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.90 for Unspecified superficial injury of elbow - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S50.91 for Unspecified superficial injury of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of elbow and forearm (S50). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • superficial injury of wrist and hand S60

7th Character Note

7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S50

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Arm Injuries and Disorders

Of the 206 bones in your body, three of them are in your arm: the humerus, radius, and ulna. Your arms are also made up of muscles, joints, tendons, and other connective tissue. Injuries to any of these parts of the arm can occur during sports, a fall, or an accident.

Types of arm injuries include :

  • Tendinitis and bursitis
  • Sprains
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Nerve problems
  • Osteoarthritis

You may also have problems or injure specific parts of your arm, such as your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Elbow Injuries and Disorders

Your elbow joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the elbow joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have elbow problems.

Many things can make your elbow hurt. A common cause is tendinitis, an inflammation or injury to the tendons that attach muscle to bone. Tendinitis of the elbow is a sports injury, often from playing tennis or golf. You may also get tendinitis from overuse of the elbow.

Other causes of elbow pain include sprains and strains, fractures (broken bones), dislocations, bursitis, and arthritis. Treatment depends on the cause.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.