2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S53.432ARadial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, initial encounter
S53.432A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for radial collateral ligament sprain of left 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 562 through 563, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as disorder of ligament of left elbow joint. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Disorder of ligament of left elbow joint
- Left elbow joint ligament sprain
- Sprain of collateral radial ligament of elbow joint
- Sprain of lateral collateral ligament of elbow joint
- Sprain of lateral collateral ligament of left elbow joint
- Sprain of radial collateral ligament of left elbow joint
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 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 S53.432A: its own notes plus those printed at S53.4, S53, block S50-S59, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Includes
Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.
- 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
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.
- strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-)
Use Additional Code
Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.
- 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 open wound
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- 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 S53
- Ainitial encounter this code
- 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 S53.432A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 1
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming S53.432A: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2 1
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S53.432A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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 S53.432A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S53.432AOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, initial encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, initial encounter is S53.432A (sometimes written as S53432A). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is S53.432A (Radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in S53.432A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S53.432A group to?
When radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 563, 964, 965, 562, 963, with relative weights from 0.8982 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S53.432A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 841.0 (sprain radial collat lig). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
