2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M21.331Wrist drop, right wrist

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M21

ICD-10-CM M21.331
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M21.331 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for wrist drop, right wrist. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 73 through 74. Coders also document this condition as bilateral wrist drop. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Acquired deformities (excluding foot).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M21.331
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Wrist drop, right wrist
Short Description
Wrist drop, right wrist
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M21.33
Wrist drop (acquired)

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM21Other acquired deformities of limbs
This CodeM21.331Wrist drop, right wrist

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral wrist drop
  • Left wrist drop
  • Right wrist drop
  • Wristdrop

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M21.331: its own notes plus those printed at M21, block M00-M25, block M20-M25, and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block M00-M25 applies to 2,249 codes
  • Disorders affecting predominantly peripheral (limb) joints

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From M21 Other acquired deformities of limbs applies to 124 codes
  • acquired absence of limb (Z89.-)
  • congenital absence of limbs (Q71-Q73)
  • congenital deformities and malformations of limbs (Q65-Q66, Q68-Q74)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From M21 Other acquired deformities of limbs applies to 124 codes
  • acquired deformities of fingers or toes (M20.-)
  • coxa plana (M91.2)
From Block M20-M25 Other joint disorders applies to 719 codes
From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name M21.331, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M21.331: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M23 Internal derangement of knee
    deformity of knee (M21.-) names M21.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MUS023
Acquired deformities (excluding foot)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Wrist Injuries and Disorders

Your wrist connects your hand to your forearm. It is not one big joint; it has several small joints. This makes it flexible and allows you to move your hand in different ways. The wrist has two big forearm bones and eight small bones known as carpals. It also has tendons and ligaments, which are connective tissues.

The full article covers:

  • What are the types of wrist injuries and disorders?
  • Who is at risk for wrist injuries and disorders?
  • What are the symptoms of wrist injuries and disorders?
  • How are wrist injuries and disorders diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for wrist injuries and disorders?
  • Can wrist injuries and disorders be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert M21.331 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
736.05 Wrist drop
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M21.331Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for wrist drop, right wrist?

The ICD-10-CM code for wrist drop, right wrist is M21.331 (sometimes written as M21331). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is M21.331 (Wrist drop (acquired)) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report wrist drop, right wrist on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does M21.331 group to?

When wrist drop, right wrist is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 74, 73, with relative weights from 1.0172 to 1.5773 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can M21.331 be reported with a code from Z89?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at M21, which applies to M21.331, lists "acquired absence of limb (Z89.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M21.331?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, wrist drop, right wrist converts to ICD-9-CM 736.05 (wrist drop). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.