2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S51Open wound of elbow and forearm

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S50-S59›S51

ICD-10-CM S51
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S51 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for open wound of elbow and forearm, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S51.001A, S51.001D, S51.001S, and S51.002A.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S51
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Open wound of elbow and forearm
Short Description
Open wound of elbow and forearm
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
S50-S59
Injuries to the elbow and forearm

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS50-S59Injuries to the elbow and forearm
CategoryS51Open wound of elbow and forearm
This CodeS51Open wound of elbow and forearm

Specific Coding for Open wound of elbow and forearmOverview

Non-specific codes like S51 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • S51.0 for Open wound of elbow

  • S51.00 for Unspecified open wound of elbow

  • S51.01 for Laceration without foreign body of elbow

  • S51.02 for Laceration with foreign body of elbow

  • S51.03 for Puncture wound without foreign body of elbow

  • S51.04 for Puncture wound with foreign body of elbow

  • S51.05 for Open bite of elbow

  • S51.8 for Open wound of forearm

  • S51.80 for Unspecified open wound of forearm

  • S51.81 for Laceration without foreign body of forearm

  • S51.82 for Laceration with foreign body of forearm

  • S51.83 for Puncture wound without foreign body of forearm

  • S51.84 for Puncture wound with foreign body of forearm

  • S51.85 for Open bite of forearm

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of elbow and forearm (S51). 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 S51: its own notes plus those printed at block S50-S59 and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character)
  • traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (S58.-)

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 S51 itself
  • open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-)
From Block S50-S59 Injuries to the elbow and forearm applies to 4,362 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69)
  • 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 wound infection

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 S51
Values for category S51 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name S51, its category, or a range that includes it.

Code Also 3

These codes say S51 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • S54 Injury of nerves at forearm level
    any associated open wound (S51.-)
  • S55 Injury of blood vessels at forearm level
    any associated open wound (S51.-)
  • S56 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level
    any associated open wound (S51.-)

Patient EducationClinical

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.

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 S51Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for open wound of elbow and forearm?

S51 is the ICD-10-CM category for open wound of elbow and forearm, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is S51 (Open wound of elbow and forearm) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for open wound of elbow and forearm, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for open wound of elbow and forearm need a more specific code from this category, such as S51.001A, S51.001D, and S51.001S.

Can S51 be reported with a code from S52?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on S51 lists "open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).