2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S96.819AStrain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, initial encounter
S96.819A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, 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. 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.
- Muscle and tendon injury
- Rupture of plantar fascia
- Strain of calf muscle
- Strain of foot extensor tendon
- Strain of foot flexor tendon
- Strain of muscle and tendon of lower leg
- Strain of muscle of lower leg
- Strain of plantaris tendon
- Strain of tendon of foot
- Traumatic tear of plantar fascia
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 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
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:
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert S96.819A to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S96.819AOverview
Is S96.819A a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S96.819A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S96.819A group to?
When strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, 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 S96.819A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, strain of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 845.09 (sprain of ankle NEC) and 845.19 (sprain of foot NEC). 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.
