2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S23Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S20-S29›S23

ICD-10-CM S23
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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

ICD-10-CM Code
S23
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
Short Description
Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
S20-S29
Injuries to the thorax

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS20-S29Injuries to the thorax
CategoryS23Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
This CodeS23Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax

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 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 S23: its own notes plus those printed at block S20-S29 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 S23 itself
  • 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
From Block S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax applies to 1,602 codes
  • injuries of breast
  • injuries of chest (wall)
  • injuries of interscapular area

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 S23 itself
  • dislocation, sprain of sternoclavicular joint (S43.2, S43.6)
  • strain of muscle or tendon of thorax (S29.01-)
From Block S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax applies to 1,602 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
  • effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
  • effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
  • effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of axilla
  • injuries of clavicle
  • injuries of scapular region
  • injuries of shoulder
  • 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.

  • any associated open wound

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 S23
Values for category S23 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

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

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 S23Overview

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

S23 is the ICD-10-CM category for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.