2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S51Open wound of elbow and forearm
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
Code Classification
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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Code Also
- any associated wound infection
Type 1 Excludes
Type 2 Excludes
- open wound of wrist and hand S61
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S51
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
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 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
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
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
Questions About S51Overview
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.
