Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S21.2

Open wound of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity

ICD-10-CM Code:
S21.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Open wound of back wall of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the thorax
      (S20-S29)
      • Open wound of thorax
        (S21)

S21.2 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of open wound of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity. 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 Open wound of back wall of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity

Non-specific codes like S21.2 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 open wound of back wall of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity:

  • S21.20 for Unspecified open wound of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.201 for Unspecified open wound of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.201A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.201D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.201S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.202 for Unspecified open wound of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.202A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.202D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.202S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.209 for Unspecified open wound of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.209A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.209D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.209S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.21 for Laceration without foreign body of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.211 for Laceration without foreign body of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.211A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.211D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.211S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.212 for Laceration without foreign body of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.212A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.212D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.212S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.219 for Laceration without foreign body of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.219A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.219D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.219S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.22 for Laceration with foreign body of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.221 for Laceration with foreign body of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.221A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.221D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.221S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.222 for Laceration with foreign body of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.222A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.222D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.222S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.229 for Laceration with foreign body of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.229A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.229D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.229S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.23 for Puncture wound without foreign body of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.231 for Puncture wound without foreign body of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.231A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.231D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.231S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.232 for Puncture wound without foreign body of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.232A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.232D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.232S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.239 for Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.239A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.239D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.239S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.24 for Puncture wound with foreign body of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.241 for Puncture wound with foreign body of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.241A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.241D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.241S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.242 for Puncture wound with foreign body of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.242A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.242D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.242S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.249 for Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.249A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.249D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.249S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.25 for Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.251 for Open bite of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.251A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.251D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.251S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.252 for Open bite of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.252A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.252D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.252S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.259 for Open bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.259A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.259D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.259S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of thorax (S21). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Patient Education


Back Injuries

Your back is made of bones, muscles, and other tissues extending from your neck to your pelvis. Back injuries can result from sports injuries, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident. The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain. Common back injuries include :

  • Sprains and strains
  • Herniated disks
  • Fractured (broken) vertebrae

These injuries can cause pain and limit your movement. Treatments vary but might include medicines, icing, bed rest, physical therapy, or surgery. You might be able to prevent some back injuries by maintaining a healthy weight, lifting objects with your legs, and using lower-back support when you sit.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening. Injuries can happen at work or play, indoors or outdoors, driving a car, or walking across the street.

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. They include cuts, scrapes, scratches, and punctured skin. They often happen because of an accident, but surgery, sutures, and stitches also cause wounds. Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but it is important to clean them. Serious and infected wounds may require first aid followed by a visit to your doctor. You should also seek attention if the wound is deep, you cannot close it yourself, you cannot stop the bleeding or get the dirt out, or it does not heal.

Other common types of injuries include:

  • Animal bites
  • Bruises
  • Burns
  • Dislocations
  • Electrical injuries
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Sprains and strains

[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.