Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S21.209

Unspecified open wound of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity

ICD-10-CM Code:: S21.209
ICD-10 Code for:: Unsp opn wnd unsp bk wl of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity
Is Billable?: Not Valid for Submission
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Code Information
Specific Coding
Approximate Synonyms
Coding Guidelines
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Code Classification

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

S21.209 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of unspecified 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S21.209 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 Unsp opn wnd unsp bk wl of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity

Non-specific codes like S21.209 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 unsp opn wnd unsp bk wl of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity:

Use S21.209A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE
Use S21.209D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE
Use S21.209S 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:

Degloving injury back
Degloving injury chest wall
Degloving injury of trunk
Degloving injury, scapular area
Degloving injury, shoulder area
Dislocation of costovertebral joint
Dislocation of scapulothoracic joint
Fracture of first thoracic vertebra
Fracture of fourth thoracic vertebra
Fracture of second thoracic vertebra
Fracture of third thoracic vertebra
Glass in back
Injury at T7 - T12 level with central cord syndrome
Injury at T7-T12 level with anterior cord syndrome
Open dislocation of scapula
Open dislocation thoracic spine
Open dislocation thoracic spine
Open fracture of first thoracic vertebra
Open fracture of fourth thoracic vertebra
Open fracture of second thoracic vertebra
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with anterior cord syndrome
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with central cord syndrome
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with incomplete spinal cord lesion
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with incomplete spinal cord lesion
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury
Open fracture of T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury
Open fracture of third thoracic vertebra
Open fracture of thoracic spine with spinal cord injury
Open spinal dislocation with complete thoracic cord lesion
Open subluxation thoracic spine
Open traumatic dislocation costovertebral joint
Open traumatic dislocation of scapulothoracic joint
Open wound of back
Open wound of back wall of thorax
Open wound of back with complication
Open wound of back, uncomplicated
Open wound of scapular region
Open wound of scapular region
Open wound of scapular region with complication
Open wound of scapular region without complication
Open wound of shoulder region with complication
Traumatic anterior cord syndrome
Traumatic dislocation of scapulothoracic joint

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]

Other ICD-10-CM Codes Commonly Used for Similar Conditions

Filter related codes list:

S21 Open wound of thorax.
S21.0 Open wound of breast.
S21.00 Unspecified open wound of breast.
S21.001 Unspecified open wound of right breast.
S21.001A Unspecified open wound of right breast, initial encounter.
S21.001D Unspecified open wound of right breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.001S Unspecified open wound of right breast, sequela.
S21.002 Unspecified open wound of left breast.
S21.002A Unspecified open wound of left breast, initial encounter.
S21.002D Unspecified open wound of left breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.002S Unspecified open wound of left breast, sequela.
S21.009 Unspecified open wound of unspecified breast.
S21.009A Unspecified open wound of unspecified breast, initial encounter.
S21.009D Unspecified open wound of unspecified breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.009S Unspecified open wound of unspecified breast, sequela.
S21.01 Laceration without foreign body of breast.
S21.011 Laceration without foreign body of right breast.
S21.011A Laceration without foreign body of right breast, initial encounter.
S21.011D Laceration without foreign body of right breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.011S Laceration without foreign body of right breast, sequela.
S21.012 Laceration without foreign body of left breast.
S21.012A Laceration without foreign body of left breast, initial encounter.
S21.012D Laceration without foreign body of left breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.012S Laceration without foreign body of left breast, sequela.
S21.019 Laceration without foreign body of unspecified breast.
S21.019A Laceration without foreign body of unspecified breast, initial encounter.
S21.019D Laceration without foreign body of unspecified breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.019S Laceration without foreign body of unspecified breast, sequela.
S21.02 Laceration with foreign body of breast.
S21.021 Laceration with foreign body of right breast.
S21.021A Laceration with foreign body of right breast, initial encounter.
S21.021D Laceration with foreign body of right breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.021S Laceration with foreign body of right breast, sequela.
S21.022 Laceration with foreign body of left breast.
S21.022A Laceration with foreign body of left breast, initial encounter.
S21.022D Laceration with foreign body of left breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.022S Laceration with foreign body of left breast, sequela.
S21.029 Laceration with foreign body of unspecified breast.
S21.029A Laceration with foreign body of unspecified breast, initial encounter.
S21.029D Laceration with foreign body of unspecified breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.029S Laceration with foreign body of unspecified breast, sequela.
S21.03 Puncture wound without foreign body of breast.
S21.031 Puncture wound without foreign body of right breast.
S21.031A Puncture wound without foreign body of right breast, initial encounter.
S21.031D Puncture wound without foreign body of right breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.031S Puncture wound without foreign body of right breast, sequela.
S21.032 Puncture wound without foreign body of left breast.
S21.032A Puncture wound without foreign body of left breast, initial encounter.
S21.032D Puncture wound without foreign body of left breast, subsequent encounter.
S21.032S Puncture wound without foreign body of left breast, sequela.
S21.039 Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified breast.

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.