2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S43Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle
S43 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S43.001A, S43.001D, S43.001S, and S43.002A.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Disloc and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdleOverview
Non-specific codes like S43 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
S43.0 for Subluxation and dislocation of shoulder joint
S43.00 for Unspecified subluxation and dislocation of shoulder joint
S43.01 for Anterior subluxation and dislocation of humerus
S43.02 for Posterior subluxation and dislocation of humerus
S43.03 for Inferior subluxation and dislocation of humerus
S43.08 for Other subluxation and dislocation of shoulder joint
S43.1 for Subluxation and dislocation of acromioclavicular joint
S43.10 for Unspecified dislocation of acromioclavicular joint
S43.11 for Subluxation of acromioclavicular joint
S43.12 for Dislocation of acromioclavicular joint, 100%-200% displacement
S43.13 for Dislocation of acromioclavicular joint, greater than 200% displacement
S43.14 for Inferior dislocation of acromioclavicular joint
S43.15 for Posterior dislocation of acromioclavicular joint
S43.2 for Subluxation and dislocation of sternoclavicular joint
S43.20 for Unspecified subluxation and dislocation of sternoclavicular joint
S43.21 for Anterior subluxation and dislocation of sternoclavicular joint
S43.22 for Posterior subluxation and dislocation of sternoclavicular joint
S43.3 for Subluxation and dislocation of other and unspecified parts of shoulder girdle
S43.30 for Subluxation and dislocation of unspecified parts of shoulder girdle
S43.31 for Subluxation and dislocation of scapula
S43.39 for Subluxation and dislocation of other parts of shoulder girdle
S43.4 for Sprain of shoulder joint
S43.40 for Unspecified sprain of shoulder joint
S43.41 for Sprain of coracohumeral (ligament)
S43.42 for Sprain of rotator cuff capsule
S43.43 for Superior glenoid labrum lesion
S43.49 for Other sprain of shoulder joint
S43.5 for Sprain of acromioclavicular joint
S43.50 for Sprain of unspecified acromioclavicular joint
S43.51 for Sprain of right acromioclavicular joint
S43.52 for Sprain of left acromioclavicular joint
S43.6 for Sprain of sternoclavicular joint
S43.60 for Sprain of unspecified sternoclavicular joint
S43.61 for Sprain of right sternoclavicular joint
S43.62 for Sprain of left sternoclavicular joint
S43.8 for Sprain of other specified parts of shoulder girdle
S43.80 for Sprain of other specified parts of unspecified shoulder girdle
S43.81 for Sprain of other specified parts of right shoulder girdle
S43.82 for Sprain of other specified parts of left shoulder girdle
S43.9 for Sprain of unspecified parts of shoulder girdle
S43.90 for Sprain of unspecified parts of unspecified shoulder girdle
S43.91 for Sprain of unspecified parts of right shoulder girdle
S43.92 for Sprain of unspecified parts of left shoulder girdle
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle (S43). 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 shoulder girdle
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of shoulder girdle
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of shoulder girdle
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of shoulder girdle
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of shoulder girdle
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of shoulder girdle
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of shoulder girdle
Code Also
- any associated open wound
Type 2 Excludes
- strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of shoulder and upper arm S46
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S43
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
Dislocated Shoulder
Your shoulder joint is made up of three bones: your collarbone, your shoulder blade, and your upper arm bone. The top of your upper arm bone is shaped like a ball. This ball fits into a cuplike socket in your shoulder blade. A shoulder dislocation is an injury that happens when the ball pops out of your socket.
The full article covers:
- What is a dislocated shoulder?
- What causes a dislocated shoulder?
- Who is at risk for a dislocated shoulder?
- What are the symptoms of a dislocated shoulder?
- How is a dislocated shoulder diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for a dislocated shoulder?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S43Overview
Is S43 a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle need a more specific code from this category, such as S43.001A, S43.001D, and S43.001S.
