2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S44.91

Injury of unspecified nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, right arm

ICD-10-CM Code:: S44.91
ICD-10 Code for:: Injury of unsp nerve at shldr/up arm, right arm
Is Billable?: Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

S44.91 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of injury of unspecified nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, right arm. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 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 S44.91 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.

Table of Contents

Code Information
Specific Coding
Coding Guidelines
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Specific Coding Applicable to Injury of unsp nerve at shldr/up arm, right arm

Non-specific codes like S44.91 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 injury of unsp nerve at shldr/up arm, right arm:

Use S44.91XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE
Use S44.91XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE
Use S44.91XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
S00–T88
- Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
  S40-S49
  - Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level
    S44

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level (S44). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

A - initial encounter
D - subsequent encounter
S - sequela

Patient Education

Peripheral Nerve Disorders

What are peripheral nerves?

Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Your peripheral nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord and connect to all parts of your body, including your muscles and organs. Peripheral nerves carry messages from your brain that control your movement, breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and more. They also carry messages from your body to your brain, so you can feel things, such as pain, heat, and cold.

What are peripheral nerve disorders?

Peripheral nerve disorders happen when one or more peripheral nerves are damaged. Damaged nerves may not carry messages correctly, or they may not work at all. As a result, you may have pain, trouble walking, or a variety of other problems, depending on which nerves are involved.

Peripheral nerve disorders are very common. There are more than 100 different types.

What causes peripheral nerve disorders?

Many things can damage nerves and lead to peripheral nerve disorders:

Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral nerve disorders. Most people with diabetes will develop diabetic nerve problems.
Physical injury (trauma) that stretches, crushes, squeezes, cuts, or puts pressure on one or more nerves. Some examples of peripheral nerve disorders from physical injury include complex regional pain syndrome and brachial plexus injuries.
Health conditions, including:
- Certain cancers and their treatment (chemotherapy and radiation therapy).
- Infections, such as HIV and Lyme disease.
- Problems with blood or blood vessels.
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Kidney or liver disease.
Certain medicines.
Contact with certain toxic substances, such as lead or mercury.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and smoking.
Vitamin imbalances, especially a lack of vitamin B12.
Your genes, including changes in your genes or conditions that you inherit from your parents, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

In certain cases, the cause of peripheral nerve disorder is not known.

What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?

The symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders depend on which nerves are affected, what is causing the damage, and how serious it is:

Types of nerves	Possible symptoms of nerve damage
Motor nerves control your muscles and all your movement, such as walking, talking, and using your hands.	Weak or aching muscles Problems with balance, walking, or using your arms and hands Cramps or twitching muscles Muscle shrinking
Sensory nerves carry messages to your brain from your senses, including touch, hot and cold, and pain.	Tingling, numbness, or pain often in the hands and feet Not being able to feel heat, cold, or pain, such as a cut on your foot Pain from even light touch
Autonomic nerves send messages to your organs to control breathing, digestion, and other body functions that happen without thinking about them.	A heartbeat that's too fast or too slow Trouble swallowing Sweating too much or too little Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation Problems with urination or sexual function

Symptoms may range from mild to very strong. They may develop quickly over days or slowly over months and years. But they are rarely life-threatening.

How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?

To find out if you have a peripheral nerve disorder, your provider will:

Ask about your medical history
Ask about your family health history
Do a physical exam
Order tests, which may include:
- Blood tests
- Genetic tests
- Nerve tests that measure:
  - Electrical activity in your nerves and muscles
  - How well your autonomic nerves are working
- A biopsy of nerve or skin tissue
- CT or MRI scan to see what may be pressing on your nerves

What are the treatments for peripheral nerve disorders?

It's important to treat any conditions that are causing nerve damage. In certain cases, that will allow your nerves to heal over time.

Treatment for symptoms depends on the type of peripheral nerve disorder you have, where it is, and how severe. Treatment options include:

Braces or splints
Over-the-counter patches and skin creams
Prescription medicines
Non-drug pain management, such as electrical stimulation or relaxation therapy
Surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve

Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?

You can help prevent peripheral nerve disorders by:

Managing health conditions that may cause nerve damage, especially diabetes
Preventing falls and accidents
Avoiding toxic substances
Being careful to avoid repeated motions and body positions that press on your nerves
Eating a balanced diet, exercising, limiting alcohol, and not smoking

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include:

Sprains and strains
Dislocations
Separations
Tendinitis
Bursitis
Torn rotator cuffs
Frozen shoulder
Fractures (broken bones)
Arthritis

Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don't work, you may need surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases