2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S49

Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm

ICD-10-CM Code:
S49
ICD-10 Code for:
Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
      (S40-S49)
      • Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm
        (S49)

S49 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm. 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S49 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm

Non-specific codes like S49 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 other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm:

  • S49.0 for Physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.00 for Unspecified physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.01 for Salter-Harris Type I physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.02 for Salter-Harris Type II physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.03 for Salter-Harris Type III physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.04 for Salter-Harris Type IV physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.09 for Other physeal fracture of upper end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.1 for Physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.10 for Unspecified physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.11 for Salter-Harris Type I physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.12 for Salter-Harris Type II physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.13 for Salter-Harris Type III physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.14 for Salter-Harris Type IV physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.19 for Other physeal fracture of lower end of humerus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.8 for Other specified injuries of shoulder and upper arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.80 for Other specified injuries of shoulder and upper arm, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.81 for Other specified injuries of right shoulder and upper arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.82 for Other specified injuries of left shoulder and upper arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.9 for Unspecified injury of shoulder and upper arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.90 for Unspecified injury of shoulder and upper arm, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.91 for Unspecified injury of right shoulder and upper arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S49.92 for Unspecified injury of left shoulder and upper arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm (S49). 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.


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 subcategories S49.0 S49.1

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter for closed fracture
  • D - subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
  • G - subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
  • K - subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
  • P - subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Dislocations
  • Separations
  • Tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Torn rotator cuffs
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Arthritis

Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don't work, you may need surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[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.