2021 ICD-10-CM Code S59.909A

Unspecified injury of unspecified elbow, initial encounter

  1. ICD-10-CM Index
  2. Chapter: S00–T98
  3. Section: S50-S59
  4. Block: S59
  5. S59.909A - Unspecified injury of unspecified elbow, initial encounter
Version 2021
Billable Code
7th Character Code
Unspecified Code
Initial Code
MS-DRG Mapping

Valid for Submission

S59.909A is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of unspecified injury of unspecified elbow, initial encounter. The code S59.909A is valid during the fiscal year 2021 from October 01, 2020 through September 30, 2021 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions.

The ICD-10-CM code S59.909A might also be used to specify conditions or terms like elbow joint effusion, injury of bursa of elbow, injury of elbow, traumatic effusion of joint of elbow or traumatic joint effusion.

S59.909A is an initial encounter code, includes a 7th character and should be used while the patient is receiving active treatment for a condition like unspecified injury of unspecified elbow. According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines an "initial encounter" doesn't necessarily means "initial visit". The 7th character should be used when the patient is undergoing active treatment regardless if new or different providers saw the patient over the course of a treatment. The appropriate 7th character codes should also be used even if the patient delayed seeking treatment for a condition.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S59.909A are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

ICD-10:S59.909A
Short Description:Unspecified injury of unspecified elbow, initial encounter
Long Description:Unspecified injury of unspecified elbow, initial encounter

Code Classification

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

Convert S59.909A to ICD-9 Code

The General Equivalency Mapping (GEM) crosswalk indicates an approximate mapping between the ICD-10 code S59.909A its ICD-9 equivalent. The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 code and the ICD-9 code and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Information for Patients


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.

Many things can make your elbow hurt. A common cause is tendinitis, an inflammation or injury to the tendons that attach muscle to bone. Tendinitis of the elbow is a sports injury, often from playing tennis or golf. You may also get tendinitis from overuse of the elbow.

Other causes of elbow pain include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, bursitis and arthritis. Treatment depends on the cause.


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Code History

  • 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 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)

Previous Code: S59.909

Related Codes

Next Code: S59.909D