2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S23Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
S23 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S23.0XXA, S23.0XXD, S23.0XXS, and S23.100A.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thoraxOverview
Non-specific codes like S23 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
S23.0 for Traumatic rupture of thoracic intervertebral disc
S23.1 for Subluxation and dislocation of thoracic vertebra
S23.10 for Subluxation and dislocation of unspecified thoracic vertebra
S23.11 for Subluxation and dislocation of T1/T2 thoracic vertebra
S23.12 for Subluxation and dislocation of T2/T3-T3/T4 thoracic vertebra
S23.13 for Subluxation and dislocation of T4/T5-T5/T6 thoracic vertebra
S23.14 for Subluxation and dislocation of T6/T7-T7/T8 thoracic vertebra
S23.15 for Subluxation and dislocation of T8/T9-T9/T10 thoracic vertebra
S23.16 for Subluxation and dislocation of T10/T11-T11/T12 thoracic vertebra
S23.17 for Subluxation and dislocation of T12/L1 thoracic vertebra
S23.2 for Dislocation of other and unspecified parts of thorax
S23.20 for Dislocation of unspecified part of thorax
S23.29 for Dislocation of other parts of thorax
S23.3 for Sprain of ligaments of thoracic spine
S23.4 for Sprain of ribs and sternum
S23.41 for Sprain of ribs
S23.42 for Sprain of sternum
S23.8 for Sprain of other specified parts of thorax
S23.9 for Sprain of unspecified parts of thorax
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax (S23). 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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Includes
- avulsion of joint or ligament of thorax
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of thorax
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of thorax
Code Also
- any associated open wound
Type 2 Excludes
- dislocation, sprain of sternoclavicular joint S43.2 S43.6
- strain of muscle or tendon of thorax S29.01
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S23
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
Chest Injuries and Disorders
The chest is the part of your body between your neck and your abdomen (belly). The medical term for your chest is thorax.
The full article covers:
- What is the chest?
- What are chest injuries and disorders?
- How are chest injuries and disorders diagnosed?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S23Overview
Is S23 (Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax need a more specific code from this category, such as S23.0XXA, S23.0XXD, and S23.0XXS.
