Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W21

Striking against or struck by sports equipment

ICD-10-CM Code:
W21
ICD-10 Code for:
Striking against or struck by sports equipment
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • External causes of morbidity and mortality
    (V01–Y99)
    • Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces
      (W20-W49)
      • Striking against or struck by sports equipment
        (W21)

W21 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of striking against or struck by sports equipment. 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 Striking against or struck by sports equipment

Non-specific codes like W21 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 striking against or struck by sports equipment:

  • W21.0 for Struck by hit or thrown ball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.00 for Struck by hit or thrown ball, unspecified type - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.01 for Struck by football - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.02 for Struck by soccer ball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.03 for Struck by baseball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.04 for Struck by golf ball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.05 for Struck by basketball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.06 for Struck by volleyball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.07 for Struck by softball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.09 for Struck by other hit or thrown ball - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.1 for Struck by bat, racquet or club - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.11 for Struck by baseball bat - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.12 for Struck by tennis racquet - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.13 for Struck by golf club - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.19 for Struck by other bat, racquet or club - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.2 for Struck by hockey stick or puck - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.21 for Struck by hockey stick - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.22 for Struck by hockey puck - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.3 for Struck by sports foot wear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.31 for Struck by shoe cleats - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.32 for Struck by skate blades - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.39 for Struck by other sports foot wear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.4 for Striking against diving board - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.8 for Striking against or struck by other sports equipment - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.81 for Striking against or struck by football helmet - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.89 for Striking against or struck by other sports equipment - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • W21.9 for Striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment - NON-BILLABLE CODE

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 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • assault with sports equipment Y08.0
  • striking against or struck by sports equipment with subsequent fall W18.01

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 W21

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


Sports Safety

Playing sports can be fun, but it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. You can help prevent injuries by:

  • Getting a physical to make sure you are healthy before you start playing your sport
  • Wearing the right shoes, gear, and equipment
  • Drinking lots of water
  • Warming up and stretching

If you have already hurt yourself playing a sport, make sure you recover completely before you start up again. If possible, protect the injured part of your body with padding, a brace, or special equipment. When you do start playing again, start slowly.


[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.