Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S96.81

Strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level

ICD-10-CM Code:
S96.81
ICD-10 Code for:
Strain of oth muscles and tendons at ankle and foot 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 ankle and foot
      (S90-S99)
      • Injury of muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level
        (S96)

S96.81 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot 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 Strain of oth muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level

Non-specific codes like S96.81 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 strain of oth muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level:

  • S96.811 for Strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, right foot - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.811A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.811D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.811S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S96.812 for Strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, left foot - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.812A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.812D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.812S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S96.819 for Strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.819A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.819D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S96.819S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level (S96). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Foot Injuries and Disorders

Each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. No wonder a lot of things can go wrong. Here are a few common problems:

  • Bunions - hard, painful bumps on the big toe joint
  • Corns and calluses - thickened skin from friction or pressure
  • Plantar warts - warts on the soles of your feet
  • Fallen arches - also called flat feet

Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Sprains and Strains

A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happens.

A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone. Twisting or pulling these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and trouble moving the muscle.

At first, treatment of both sprains and strains usually involves resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a bandage or device that compresses the area, and medicines. Later treatment might include exercise and physical therapy.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[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.