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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS41.0

S41.0

Billable

Open wound of shoulder

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/24/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S41.0 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of open wound of shoulder.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An open wound of the shoulder refers to a break in the skin and underlying tissues in the shoulder region, which may involve muscle, tendon, or bone. This type of injury can occur due to trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or accidents. Open wounds can vary in severity, from superficial lacerations to deep puncture wounds that expose underlying structures. In the context of shoulder injuries, open wounds may be associated with dislocations, fractures of the humerus, or rotator cuff injuries. Surgical intervention is often required to repair the damage, especially if the wound is extensive or if there is a risk of infection. The management of open wounds includes thorough cleaning, debridement, and sometimes suturing or stapling to promote healing. Complications can include infection, delayed healing, and functional impairment of the shoulder joint. Accurate coding is essential for proper reimbursement and to reflect the complexity of the injury and treatment provided.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential associated injuries (e.g., fractures, dislocations)
  • Need for detailed documentation of the wound's size and depth
  • Variability in treatment approaches (surgical vs. conservative)
  • Potential for complications that may affect coding

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the wound's characteristics
  • Failure to document associated injuries or procedures
  • Misclassification of the type of wound (open vs. closed)
  • Lack of clarity on the mechanism of injury

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative notes, including the type of repair performed and any associated procedures.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of open shoulder fractures, rotator cuff repairs following traumatic injuries.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all associated injuries are documented to support the complexity of the case.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Thorough documentation of the mechanism of injury, initial assessment, and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Management of acute open shoulder wounds due to trauma, including initial wound care and stabilization.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding of the injury type and any immediate interventions performed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S41.0 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, S41
  • 0 should be used for open wounds of the shoulder, with specific attention to the depth and nature of the wound
  • Documentation must clearly indicate the type of injury and any associated conditions

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S41.0 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

23470CPT Code

Repair of rotator cuff

Clinical Scenario

Used when a rotator cuff repair is performed due to an open wound.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing the procedure and any associated findings.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons must document the extent of the injury and repair.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of open wounds, improving the accuracy of claims and reflecting the complexity of injuries more effectively.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of open wounds, improving the accuracy of claims and reflecting the complexity of injuries more effectively.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an open wound and a closed wound?

An open wound involves a break in the skin, exposing underlying tissues, while a closed wound does not break the skin and may involve bruising or internal damage.