2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S63.651ASprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S60-S69›S63

ICD-10-CM S63.651A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S63.651A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, 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 sprain of ligament of metacarpophalangeal joint of index finger. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S63.651A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, initial encounter
Short Description
Sprain of MCP joint of left index finger, init
Parent Code
S63.651
Sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS60-S69Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers
CategoryS63Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at wrist and hand level
This CodeS63.651ASprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Sprain of ligament of metacarpophalangeal joint of index finger
  • Sprain of ligament of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at wrist and hand level (S63). 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 S63.651A: its own notes plus those printed at S63.6, S63, block S60-S69, 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.

From S63 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at wrist and hand level applies to 921 codes
  • avulsion of joint or ligament at wrist and hand level
  • laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament at wrist and hand level
  • sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament at wrist and hand level
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament at wrist and hand level
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament at wrist and hand level
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament at wrist and hand level
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament at wrist and hand level

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From S63.6 Other and unspecified sprain of finger(s) applies to 156 codes
  • traumatic rupture of ligament of finger at metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint(s) (S63.4-)

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.

From S63 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at wrist and hand level applies to 921 codes
  • strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of wrist and hand (S66.-)
From Block S60-S69 Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers applies to 5,118 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • 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.

From S63 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at wrist and hand level applies to 921 codes
  • any associated open wound

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • 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.

From S63 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at wrist and hand level applies to 921 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S63
Values for category S63 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • 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 S63.651A, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S63.651A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • S66 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at wrist and hand level
    sprain of joints and ligaments of wrist and hand (S63.-) names S63.-, which includes this code

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

Finger Injuries and Disorders

You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult. Common problems include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert S63.651A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
842.12 Sprain metacarpophalang
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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About S63.651AOverview

Is S63.651A (Sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in S63.651A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S63.651A group to?

When sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, 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.

Can S63.651A be reported with a code from S63.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at S63.6, which applies to S63.651A, lists "traumatic rupture of ligament of finger at metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint(s) (S63.4-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S63.651A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of metacarpophalangeal joint of left index finger, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 842.12 (sprain metacarpophalang). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.