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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS41.021

S41.021

Billable

Laceration with foreign body of right shoulder

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S41.021 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of right shoulder.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S41.021 refers to a laceration of the right shoulder that is complicated by the presence of a foreign body. This condition typically arises from traumatic injuries, such as those sustained in accidents or falls, where sharp objects penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. The presence of a foreign body can complicate the healing process, increase the risk of infection, and necessitate surgical intervention for removal. Clinically, patients may present with pain, swelling, and limited range of motion in the shoulder, along with visible lacerations. The management of such injuries often involves thorough cleaning of the wound, assessment for associated injuries such as shoulder dislocations or fractures, and possibly orthopedic surgical repairs if the foreign body has caused significant damage to the surrounding structures. The complexity of treatment increases if there are concurrent injuries to the rotator cuff or humeral fractures, which may require additional surgical procedures. Accurate coding is essential for proper reimbursement and to reflect the severity of the injury in the patient's medical record.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of a foreign body complicates the injury.
  • Potential for associated injuries (e.g., fractures, dislocations).
  • Need for surgical intervention increases coding complexity.
  • Documentation must clearly specify the nature of the laceration and foreign body.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body.
  • Failure to document associated injuries.
  • Misclassification of the laceration depth.
  • Lack of clarity on the treatment provided.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative notes, imaging studies, and post-operative care documentation.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of lacerations with foreign bodies, management of associated fractures.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all surgical interventions are documented, including the removal of foreign bodies and any repairs to the rotator cuff or humerus.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment notes, including mechanism of injury and initial treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Initial evaluation and management of traumatic shoulder injuries with foreign bodies.

Billing Considerations

Document the patient's vital signs and any immediate interventions performed in the emergency setting.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S41.021 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the documentation supports the diagnosis
  • Include details about the foreign body and any associated injuries

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S41.021 When
  • Exclude codes that do not specify the presence of a foreign body

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12002CPT Code

Simple repair of a laceration

Clinical Scenario

Used when the laceration is repaired without complications.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the laceration and the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons should document any additional procedures performed.

20680CPT Code

Removal of foreign body from soft tissue

Clinical Scenario

Used when a foreign body is surgically removed from the shoulder.

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative report including the location and type of foreign body.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the foreign body is clearly identified in the documentation.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including the presence of foreign bodies, which enhances the accuracy of medical records and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including the presence of foreign bodies, which enhances the accuracy of medical records and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

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 should be documented to support the use of S41.021?

Documentation should include details about the laceration, the presence of any foreign body, associated injuries, and the treatment provided, including any surgical interventions.