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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code S51.8
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S51.8

Open wound of forearm

ICD-10-CM Code:
S51.8
ICD-10 Code for:
Open wound of forearm
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the elbow and forearm
      (S50-S59)
      • Open wound of elbow and forearm
        (S51)

S51.8 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of open wound of forearm. 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 Open wound of forearm

Non-specific codes like S51.8 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 open wound of forearm:

  • S51.80 for Unspecified open wound of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.801 for Unspecified open wound of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.801A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.801D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.801S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.802 for Unspecified open wound of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.802A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.802D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.802S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.809 for Unspecified open wound of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.809A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.809D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.809S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.81 for Laceration without foreign body of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.811 for Laceration without foreign body of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.811A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.811D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.811S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.812 for Laceration without foreign body of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.812A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.812D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.812S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.819 for Laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.819A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.819D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.819S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.82 for Laceration with foreign body of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.821 for Laceration with foreign body of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.821A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.821D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.821S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.822 for Laceration with foreign body of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.822A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.822D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.822S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.829 for Laceration with foreign body of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.829A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.829D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.829S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.83 for Puncture wound without foreign body of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.831 for Puncture wound without foreign body of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.831A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.831D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.831S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.832 for Puncture wound without foreign body of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.832A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.832D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.832S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.839 for Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.839A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.839D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.839S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.84 for Puncture wound with foreign body of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.841 for Puncture wound with foreign body of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.841A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.841D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.841S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.842 for Puncture wound with foreign body of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.842A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.842D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.842S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.849 for Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.849A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.849D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.849S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.85 for Open bite of forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.851 for Open bite of right forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.851A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.851D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.851S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.852 for Open bite of left forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.852A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.852D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.852S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S51.859 for Open bite of unspecified forearm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.859A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.859D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S51.859S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of elbow and forearm (S51). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • open wound of elbow S51.0

Patient Education


Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening. Injuries can happen at work or play, indoors or outdoors, driving a car, or walking across the street.

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. They include cuts, scrapes, scratches, and punctured skin. They often happen because of an accident, but surgery, sutures, and stitches also cause wounds. Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but it is important to clean them. Serious and infected wounds may require first aid followed by a visit to your doctor. You should also seek attention if the wound is deep, you cannot close it yourself, you cannot stop the bleeding or get the dirt out, or it does not heal.

Other common types of injuries include:

  • Animal bites
  • Bruises
  • Burns
  • Dislocations
  • Electrical injuries
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Sprains and strains

[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.