2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S96.229

Laceration of intrinsic muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot

ICD-10-CM Code:
S96.229
ICD-10 Code for:
Laceration of intrinsic msl/tnd at ank/ft level, unsp foot
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the ankle and foot
      (S90-S99)
      • Injury of muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level
        (S96)

S96.229 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of laceration of intrinsic muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot. 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 S96.229 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 Laceration of intrinsic msl/tnd at ank/ft level, unsp foot

Non-specific codes like S96.229 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 laceration of intrinsic msl/tnd at ank/ft level, unsp foot:

  • Use S96.229A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.229D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.229S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Injury of fascia of intrinsic muscle of foot
  • Injury of intrinsic muscle of foot
  • Injury of tendon of intrinsic muscle of foot
  • Laceration of fascia of intrinsic muscle of foot
  • Laceration of intrinsic muscle of foot
  • Laceration of tendon of foot
  • Laceration of tendon of intrinsic muscle of foot

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level (S96). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Patient Education


Foot Injuries and Disorders

Each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. No wonder a lot of things can go wrong. Here are a few common problems:

  • Bunions - hard, painful bumps on the big toe joint
  • Corns and calluses - thickened skin from friction or pressure
  • Plantar warts - warts on the soles of your feet
  • Fallen arches - also called flat feet

Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.


[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.