2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S53.439SRadial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow, sequela
S53.439S is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. 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. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as complete tear, elbow joint. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S53.439S is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Complete tear, elbow joint
- Complete tear, elbow joint, lateral collateral ligament
- Rupture of elbow ligament
- Sprain of carpal radial collateral ligament
- Sprain of collateral radial ligament of elbow joint
- Sprain of lateral collateral ligament of 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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
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 S53.439S to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S53.439SOverview
Is S53.439S (Radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in S53.439S mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does S53.439S group to?
When radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 562, 563, with relative weights from 0.8955 to 1.4248 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S53.439S exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S53.439S?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 905.7 (late effec sprain/strain). 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.
