2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S83.429ASprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee, initial encounter
S83.429A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee, 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 562 through 563, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as complete tear, knee ligament. 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.
- Complete tear, knee ligament
- Complete tear, knee, lateral collateral ligament
- Injury of lateral collateral ligament of knee
- Partial rupture of ligament
- Partial tear, knee, lateral collateral ligament
- Rupture of lateral collateral ligament of knee
- Sprain of lateral collateral ligament of knee
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of knee (S83). 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
Knee Injuries and Disorders
Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.
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Convert S83.429A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S83.429AOverview
Is S83.429A (Sprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S83.429A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for sprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S83.429A group to?
When sprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 562, 563, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.8955 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S83.429A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of lateral collateral ligament of unspecified knee, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 844.0 (sprain lateral coll lig). 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.
