2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S53.401AUnspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S50-S59›S53

ICD-10-CM S53.401A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S53.401A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 562 through 563, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as disorder of ligament of right elbow joint. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S53.401A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter
Short Description
Unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S53.401
Unspecified sprain of right elbow

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS50-S59Injuries to the elbow and forearm
CategoryS53Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow
This CodeS53.401AUnspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Disorder of ligament of right elbow joint
  • Right elbow joint ligament sprain

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.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ024
Sprains and strains, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Elbow Injuries and Disorders

Your elbow joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the elbow joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have elbow problems.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S53.401A to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
841.8 Sprain elbow/forearm NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
841.9 Sprain elbow/forearm NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S53.401AOverview

Is S53.401A (Unspecified sprain of right elbow) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S53.401A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for unspecified sprain of right elbow, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S53.401A group to?

When unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 562, 563, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.8955 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S53.401A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified sprain of right elbow, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 841.8 (sprain elbow/forearm NEC) and 841.9 (sprain elbow/forearm NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.