2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S53Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow
S53 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S53.001A, S53.001D, S53.001S, and S53.002A.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbowOverview
Non-specific codes like S53 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
S53.0 for Subluxation and dislocation of radial head
S53.00 for Unspecified subluxation and dislocation of radial head
S53.01 for Anterior subluxation and dislocation of radial head
S53.02 for Posterior subluxation and dislocation of radial head
S53.03 for Nursemaid's elbow
S53.09 for Other subluxation and dislocation of radial head
S53.1 for Subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.10 for Unspecified subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.11 for Anterior subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.12 for Posterior subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.13 for Medial subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.14 for Lateral subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.19 for Other subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
S53.2 for Traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament
S53.20 for Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament
S53.21 for Traumatic rupture of right radial collateral ligament
S53.22 for Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament
S53.3 for Traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament
S53.30 for Traumatic rupture of unspecified ulnar collateral ligament
S53.31 for Traumatic rupture of right ulnar collateral ligament
S53.32 for Traumatic rupture of left ulnar collateral ligament
S53.4 for Sprain of elbow
S53.40 for Unspecified sprain of elbow
S53.41 for Radiohumeral (joint) sprain
S53.42 for Ulnohumeral (joint) sprain
S53.43 for Radial collateral ligament sprain
S53.44 for Ulnar collateral ligament sprain
S53.49 for Other sprain of elbow
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow (S53). 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 elbow
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of elbow
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of elbow
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of elbow
Code Also
- any associated open wound
Type 2 Excludes
- strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level S56
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53
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
Dislocations
Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. The cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport. You can dislocate your ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows and jaw. You can also dislocate your finger and toe joints.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S53Overview
Is S53 (Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow need a more specific code from this category, such as S53.001A, S53.001D, and S53.001S.
