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  5. Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces (W49)

Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces (W49)

The ICD-10 code W49 and its subcategories are used to report injuries caused by exposure to various inanimate mechanical forces that externally constrict the body. These codes specify the type of object causing the constriction, such as hair, string, rubber bands, or jewelry, and whether the medical encounter is initial, subsequent, or for sequelae.

This section, including codes like W49.01 for hair causing external constriction or W49.04 for rings or other jewelry, helps clinicians and coders identify specific mechanical forces responsible for external constriction injuries. The broader W49.9XX codes cover other unspecified inanimate mechanical forces and include terms like "accident due to vibration," "sharps injury," and "exposure to mechanical force," assisting in documenting cases where the precise cause may vary. These classifications ensure accurate coding for conditions resulting from accidental external constriction by objects, facilitating clear injury documentation and appropriate care management.

  • External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)

    • Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (W20-W49)

        • Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces (W49)

        • W49 Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces
        • W49.0 Item causing external constriction
        • W49.01 Hair causing external constriction
        • W49.01XA Hair causing external constriction, initial encounter
        • W49.01XD Hair causing external constriction, subsequent encounter
        • W49.01XS Hair causing external constriction, sequela
        • W49.02 String or thread causing external constriction
        • W49.02XA String or thread causing external constriction, initial encounter
        • W49.02XD String or thread causing external constriction, subsequent encounter
        • W49.02XS String or thread causing external constriction, sequela
        • W49.03 Rubber band causing external constriction
        • W49.03XA Rubber band causing external constriction, initial encounter
        • W49.03XD Rubber band causing external constriction, subsequent encounter
        • W49.03XS Rubber band causing external constriction, sequela
        • W49.04 Ring or other jewelry causing external constriction
        • W49.04XA Ring or other jewelry causing external constriction, initial encounter
        • W49.04XD Ring or other jewelry causing external constriction, subsequent encounter
        • W49.04XS Ring or other jewelry causing external constriction, sequela
        • W49.09 Other specified item causing external constriction
        • W49.09XA Other specified item causing external constriction, initial encounter
        • W49.09XD Other specified item causing external constriction, subsequent encounter
        • W49.09XS Other specified item causing external constriction, sequela
        • W49.9 Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces
        • W49.9XXA Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces, initial encounter
        • W49.9XXD Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces, subsequent encounter
        • W49.9XXS Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forces, sequela

Instructional Notations

Includes

This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.

  • exposure to abnormal gravitational [G] forces
  • exposure to inanimate mechanical forces NEC

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • exposure to inanimate mechanical forces involving military or war operations Y36 Y37

7th Character Note

Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W49

7th Character

Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.

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