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  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code S44

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S44

Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level

ICD-10-CM Code:
S44
ICD-10 Code for:
Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

S44 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 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 Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level

Non-specific codes like S44 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 injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level:

  • S44.0 for Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.00 for Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.01 for Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.02 for Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.1 for Injury of median nerve at upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.10 for Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.11 for Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.12 for Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.2 for Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.20 for Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.21 for Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.22 for Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.3 for Injury of axillary nerve - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.30 for Injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.31 for Injury of axillary nerve, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.32 for Injury of axillary nerve, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.4 for Injury of musculocutaneous nerve - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.40 for Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.41 for Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.42 for Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.5 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.50 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.51 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.52 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.8 for Injury of other nerves at shoulder and upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.8X for Injury of other nerves at shoulder and upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.9 for Injury of unspecified nerve at shoulder and upper arm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.90 for Injury of unspecified nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.91 for Injury of unspecified nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S44.92 for Injury of unspecified nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    S00–T88
    • Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
      S40-S49
      • Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level
        S44

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level (S44). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Code Also

Code Also
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
  • any associated open wound S41

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
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.
  • injury of brachial plexus S14.3

7th Character Note

7th Character Note
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.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S44

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Peripheral Nerve Disorders

What are peripheral nerves?

Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Your peripheral nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord and connect to all parts of your body, including your muscles and organs. Peripheral nerves carry messages from your brain that control your movement, breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and more. They also carry messages from your body to your brain, so you can feel things, such as pain, heat, and cold.

What are peripheral nerve disorders?

Peripheral nerve disorders happen when one or more peripheral nerves are damaged. Damaged nerves may not carry messages correctly, or they may not work at all. As a result, you may have pain, trouble walking, or a variety of other problems, depending on which nerves are involved.

Peripheral nerve disorders are very common. There are more than 100 different types.

What causes peripheral nerve disorders?

Many things can damage nerves and lead to peripheral nerve disorders:

  • Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral nerve disorders. Most people with diabetes will develop diabetic nerve problems.
  • Physical injury (trauma) that stretches, crushes, squeezes, cuts, or puts pressure on one or more nerves. Some examples of peripheral nerve disorders from physical injury include complex regional pain syndrome and brachial plexus injuries.
  • Health conditions, including:
    • Certain cancers and their treatment (chemotherapy and radiation therapy).
    • Infections, such as HIV and Lyme disease.
    • Problems with blood or blood vessels.
    • Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
    • Kidney or liver disease.
  • Certain medicines.
  • Contact with certain toxic substances, such as lead or mercury.
  • Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and smoking.
  • Vitamin imbalances, especially a lack of vitamin B12.
  • Your genes, including changes in your genes or conditions that you inherit from your parents, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

In certain cases, the cause of peripheral nerve disorder is not known.

What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?

The symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders depend on which nerves are affected, what is causing the damage, and how serious it is:

Types of nervesPossible symptoms of nerve damage
Motor nerves control your muscles and all your movement, such as walking, talking, and using your hands.
  • Weak or aching muscles
  • Problems with balance, walking, or using your arms and hands
  • Cramps or twitching muscles
  • Muscle shrinking
Sensory nerves carry messages to your brain from your senses, including touch, hot and cold, and pain.
  • Tingling, numbness, or pain often in the hands and feet
  • Not being able to feel heat, cold, or pain, such as a cut on your foot
  • Pain from even light touch
Autonomic nerves send messages to your organs to control breathing, digestion, and other body functions that happen without thinking about them.
  • A heartbeat that's too fast or too slow
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Sweating too much or too little
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
  • Problems with urination or sexual function


Symptoms may range from mild to very strong. They may develop quickly over days or slowly over months and years. But they are rarely life-threatening.

How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?

To find out if you have a peripheral nerve disorder, your provider will:

  • Ask about your medical history
  • Ask about your family health history
  • Do a physical exam
  • Order tests, which may include:
    • Blood tests
    • Genetic tests
    • Nerve tests that measure:
      • Electrical activity in your nerves and muscles
      • How well your autonomic nerves are working
    • A biopsy of nerve or skin tissue
    • CT or MRI scan to see what may be pressing on your nerves

What are the treatments for peripheral nerve disorders?

It's important to treat any conditions that are causing nerve damage. In certain cases, that will allow your nerves to heal over time.

Treatment for symptoms depends on the type of peripheral nerve disorder you have, where it is, and how severe. Treatment options include:

  • Braces or splints
  • Over-the-counter patches and skin creams
  • Prescription medicines
  • Non-drug pain management, such as electrical stimulation or relaxation therapy
  • Surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve

Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?

You can help prevent peripheral nerve disorders by:

  • Managing health conditions that may cause nerve damage, especially diabetes
  • Preventing falls and accidents
  • Avoiding toxic substances
  • Being careful to avoid repeated motions and body positions that press on your nerves
  • Eating a balanced diet, exercising, limiting alcohol, and not smoking

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Dislocations
  • Separations
  • Tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Torn rotator cuffs
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Arthritis

Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don't work, you may need surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[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.