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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS51.011

S51.011

Billable

Laceration without foreign body of right elbow

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S51.011 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration without foreign body of right elbow.

Key Diagnostic Point:

A laceration without foreign body of the right elbow refers to a cut or tear in the skin and underlying tissues around the elbow joint that does not involve any foreign material embedded in the wound. This type of injury can occur due to various mechanisms, including falls, sports injuries, or accidents. Clinically, the laceration may vary in depth and severity, potentially affecting not only the skin but also the underlying muscles, tendons, and nerves. Proper assessment is crucial to determine the extent of the injury and to rule out associated complications such as fractures of the radius or ulna, which are common in elbow injuries. Additionally, there is a risk of developing compartment syndrome, a serious condition that can arise from swelling within the muscle compartments of the arm, leading to decreased blood flow and potential muscle and nerve damage. Treatment often involves cleaning the wound, suturing if necessary, and monitoring for complications. In some cases, orthopedic fixation procedures may be required if there are associated fractures or significant soft tissue damage.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Differentiating between lacerations and fractures
  • Assessing for associated injuries (e.g., nerve or vascular damage)
  • Understanding the need for surgical intervention in complex cases
  • Documenting the depth and extent of the laceration accurately

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the injury mechanism
  • Failure to document associated injuries or complications
  • Misclassification of laceration depth
  • Lack of follow-up documentation for healing or complications

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed descriptions of the injury, treatment provided, and any surgical interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Management of lacerations with associated fractures or soft tissue injuries requiring surgical repair.

Billing Considerations

Ensure clear documentation of any orthopedic fixation procedures performed and the rationale for surgical intervention.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Thorough assessment notes including mechanism of injury, initial treatment, and any referrals made.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Initial evaluation and management of lacerations in the emergency department setting.

Billing Considerations

Document the urgency of the injury and any immediate interventions to prevent complications.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S51.011 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding injuries, ensuring accurate documentation of the injury's location, type, and any associated conditions

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S51.011 When
  • Exclude codes for lacerations with foreign bodies or those that are part of a more complex injury

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for suturing a laceration without complications.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may need to document any additional procedures performed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, improving the granularity of data collection and enhancing the ability to track injury patterns and treatment outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, improving the granularity of data collection and enhancing the ability to track injury patterns and treatment outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of lacerations, improving the granularity of data collection and enhancing the ability to track injury patterns and treatment outcomes.

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 S51.011 and S51.012?

S51.011 is used for lacerations without foreign bodies, while S51.012 is for lacerations that involve foreign materials. Accurate documentation is essential to determine the correct code.