Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S54

Injury of nerves at forearm level

ICD-10-CM Code:
S54
ICD-10 Code for:
Injury of nerves at forearm level
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the elbow and forearm
      (S50-S59)
      • Injury of nerves at forearm level
        (S54)

S54 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of injury of nerves at forearm level. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Injury of nerves at forearm level

Non-specific codes like S54 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for injury of nerves at forearm level:

  • S54.0 for Injury of ulnar nerve at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.00 for Injury of ulnar nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.01 for Injury of ulnar nerve at forearm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.02 for Injury of ulnar nerve at forearm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.1 for Injury of median nerve at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.10 for Injury of median nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.11 for Injury of median nerve at forearm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.12 for Injury of median nerve at forearm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.2 for Injury of radial nerve at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.20 for Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.21 for Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.22 for Injury of radial nerve at forearm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.3 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.30 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.31 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at forearm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.32 for Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at forearm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.8 for Injury of other nerves at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.8X for Injury of other nerves at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.9 for Injury of unspecified nerve at forearm level - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.90 for Injury of unspecified nerve at forearm level, unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.91 for Injury of unspecified nerve at forearm level, right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S54.92 for Injury of unspecified nerve at forearm level, left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves at forearm level (S54). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Code Also

Code Also
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
  • any associated open wound S51

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
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.
  • injury of nerves at wrist and hand level S64

7th Character Note

7th Character Note
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.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S54

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Arm Injuries and Disorders

Of the 206 bones in your body, three of them are in your arm: the humerus, radius, and ulna. Your arms are also made up of muscles, joints, tendons, and other connective tissue. Injuries to any of these parts of the arm can occur during sports, a fall, or an accident.

Types of arm injuries include :

  • Tendinitis and bursitis
  • Sprains
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Nerve problems
  • Osteoarthritis

You may also have problems or injure specific parts of your arm, such as your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.