2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S03Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S00-S09›S03

ICD-10-CM S03
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S03 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S03.00XA, S03.00XD, S03.00XS, and S03.01XA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S03
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head
Short Description
Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
S00-S09
Injuries to the head

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS00-S09Injuries to the head
CategoryS03Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head
This CodeS03Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head

Specific Coding for Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of headOverview

Non-specific codes like S03 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • S03.0 for Dislocation of jaw

  • S03.00 for Dislocation of jaw, unspecified side

  • S03.01 for Dislocation of jaw, right side

  • S03.02 for Dislocation of jaw, left side

  • S03.03 for Dislocation of jaw, bilateral

  • S03.1 for Dislocation of septal cartilage of nose

  • S03.2 for Dislocation of tooth

  • S03.4 for Sprain of jaw

  • S03.40 for Sprain of jaw, unspecified side

  • S03.41 for Sprain of jaw, right side

  • S03.42 for Sprain of jaw, left side

  • S03.43 for Sprain of jaw, bilateral

  • S03.8 for Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head

  • S03.9 for Sprain of joints and ligaments of unspecified parts of head

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head (S03). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:

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

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to S03: its own notes plus those printed at block S00-S09 and Chapter 19. 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.

On S03 itself
  • avulsion of joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • laceration of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • sprain of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament of head
From Block S00-S09 Injuries to the head applies to 1,934 codes
  • injuries of ear
  • injuries of eye
  • injuries of face [any part]
  • injuries of gum
  • injuries of jaw
  • injuries of oral cavity
  • injuries of palate
  • injuries of periocular area
  • injuries of scalp
  • injuries of temporomandibular joint area
  • injuries of tongue
  • injuries of tooth

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.

On S03 itself
  • Strain of muscle or tendon of head (S09.1)
From Block S00-S09 Injuries to the head applies to 1,934 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
  • effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
  • effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
  • effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
  • effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
  • effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

On S03 itself
  • any associated open wound
From Block S00-S09 Injuries to the head applies to 1,934 codes
  • for any associated infection

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S03
Values for category S03 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

Patient EducationClinical

Dislocations

Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. The cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport. You can dislocate your ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows and jaw. You can also dislocate your finger and toe joints.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 S03Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head?

S03 is the ICD-10-CM category for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is S03 (Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head need a more specific code from this category, such as S03.00XA, S03.00XD, and S03.00XS.