S23
Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
S23 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code category for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are S23.0 Traumatic rupture of thoracic intervertebral disc, S23.1 Subluxation and dislocation of thoracic vertebra, S23.2 Dislocation of other and unspecified parts of thorax, S23.3 Sprain of ligaments of thoracic spine and 3 more. Its coding notes include a Use additional code instruction, a Code also instruction and 15 Excludes2 entries.
7th characters
Every code below needs one of these.
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S23
- Ainitial encounter
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Guidelines tips
From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.
The 7th character depends on whether the patient is in active treatment, not on who sees the patient. An aftercare Z code is not used for injury aftercare.
Each injury gets its own code unless a combination code exists, with the most serious injury first. Superficial injuries at the same site as a more severe injury are not coded. Injuries during medical care are coded as complications.
Use additional code
Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Code also
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition. This note gives no sequencing order.
- any associated open wound
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (13 notes)
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
- effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
- effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
- effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
- effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
- frostbite (T33-T34)
- injuries of axilla
- injuries of clavicle
- injuries of scapular region
- injuries of shoulder
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
- birth trauma (P10-P15)
- obstetric trauma (O70-O71)
Includes
Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.
- avulsion of joint or ligament of thorax
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of thorax
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of thorax
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of thorax
Also from chapter/block level (3 notes)
- injuries of breast
- injuries of chest (wall)
- injuries of interscapular area
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (2 notes)
- Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
- The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.
More specific codes under S23 7
- S23.0Traumatic rupture of thoracic intervertebral disc7th char needed
- S23.1Subluxation and dislocation of thoracic vertebraHeader
- S23.2Dislocation of other and unspecified parts of thoraxHeader
- S23.3Sprain of ligaments of thoracic spine7th char needed
- S23.4Sprain of ribs and sternumHeader
- S23.8Sprain of other specified parts of thorax7th char needed
- S23.9Sprain of unspecified parts of thorax7th char needed