2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W21.9

Striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment

ICD-10-CM Code:
W21.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • External causes of morbidity and mortality
    (V01–Y99)
    • Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces
      (W20-W49)
      • Striking against or struck by sports equipment
        (W21)

W21.9 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment. 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like W21.9 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment

Non-specific codes like W21.9 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 striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment:

  • Use W21.9XXA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use W21.9XXD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use W21.9XXS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Index of External Cause of Injuries

References found for this diagnosis code in the External Cause of Injuries Index:

    • Bumping against, into(accidentally)
      • object NEC
        • sports equipment
    • Bumping against, into(accidentally)
      • sports equipment
    • Contact(accidental)
      • with
        • sports equipment
    • Kicking
      • against
        • object
          • sports equipment
    • Kicking
      • against
        • sports equipment
    • Stepping on
      • object
        • sports equipment
    • Stepping on
      • sports equipment
    • Striking against
      • object
        • sports equipment
    • Striking against
      • sports equipment
    • Struck(accidentally) by
      • object
        • projected
          • in sports
    • Struck(accidentally) by
      • object
        • thrown
          • in sports
    • Struck(accidentally) by
      • other person (s)
        • with
          • blunt object
            • sports equipment
    • Struck(accidentally) by
      • other person (s)
        • sports equipment
    • Struck(accidentally) by
      • sports equipment

Patient Education


Sports Safety

Playing sports can be fun, but it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. You can help prevent injuries by:

  • Getting a physical to make sure you are healthy before you start playing your sport
  • Wearing the right shoes, gear, and equipment
  • Drinking lots of water
  • Warming up and stretching

If you have already hurt yourself playing a sport, make sure you recover completely before you start up again. If possible, protect the injured part of your body with padding, a brace, or special equipment. When you do start playing again, start slowly.


[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.