DxCodebookFY2027 · Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Category · FY2027

S53 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow

  • Header · not billable
  • Codes take a 7th character

S53 is not billable. The category heads 261 billable codes in FY2027, grouped under 5 subdivisions. Its codes take a 7th character, so none is complete with fewer than 7 characters.

Index → code

  • Nursemaid's elbow → S53.03-
  • Subluxationradial head → S53.00-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbow → S53.10-

Where it sits

  1. Chapter 19 Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  2. S50-S59 Injuries to the elbow and forearm (S50-S59)
  3. S53 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow
Billable codes
261
Subdivisions
5
CC / MCC codes
0 / 0
HCC V28 codes
0
New FY2027
0
Index entries
31

Codes in S53

  1. S53.0
    Subluxation and dislocation of radial head
    Header
    Inclusion terms 2, Excludes1 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Dislocation of radiohumeral joint
    • Subluxation of radiohumeral joint

    Excludes1

    • Monteggia's fracture-dislocation (S52.27-) S52.27
  2. S53.00
    Unspecified subluxation and dislocation of radial head
    Header
  3. S53.001
    Unspecified subluxation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  4. S53.002
    Unspecified subluxation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  5. S53.003
    Unspecified subluxation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  6. S53.004
    Unspecified dislocation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  7. S53.005
    Unspecified dislocation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  8. S53.006
    Unspecified dislocation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  9. S53.01
    Anterior subluxation and dislocation of radial head
    Header
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Anteriomedial subluxation and dislocation of radial head
  10. S53.011
    Anterior subluxation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  11. S53.012
    Anterior subluxation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  12. S53.013
    Anterior subluxation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  13. S53.014
    Anterior dislocation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  14. S53.015
    Anterior dislocation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  15. S53.016
    Anterior dislocation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  16. S53.02
    Posterior subluxation and dislocation of radial head
    Header
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Posteriolateral subluxation and dislocation of radial head
  17. S53.021
    Posterior subluxation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  18. S53.022
    Posterior subluxation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  19. S53.023
    Posterior subluxation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  20. S53.024
    Posterior dislocation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  21. S53.025
    Posterior dislocation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  22. S53.026
    Posterior dislocation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  23. S53.03
    Nursemaid's elbow
    Header
  24. S53.031
    Nursemaid's elbow, right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  25. S53.032
    Nursemaid's elbow, left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  26. S53.033
    Nursemaid's elbow, unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  27. S53.09
    Other subluxation and dislocation of radial head
    Header
  28. S53.091
    Other subluxation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  29. S53.092
    Other subluxation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  30. S53.093
    Other subluxation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  31. S53.094
    Other dislocation of right radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  32. S53.095
    Other dislocation of left radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  33. S53.096
    Other dislocation of unspecified radial head +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  34. S53.1
    Subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
    Inclusion terms 1, Excludes1 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Subluxation and dislocation of elbow NOS

    Excludes1

    • dislocation of radial head alone (S53.0-) S53.0
  35. S53.10
    Unspecified subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
  36. S53.101
    Unspecified subluxation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  37. S53.102
    Unspecified subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  38. S53.103
    Unspecified subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  39. S53.104
    Unspecified dislocation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  40. S53.105
    Unspecified dislocation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  41. S53.106
    Unspecified dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  42. S53.11
    Anterior subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
  43. S53.111
    Anterior subluxation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  44. S53.112
    Anterior subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  45. S53.113
    Anterior subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  46. S53.114
    Anterior dislocation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  47. S53.115
    Anterior dislocation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  48. S53.116
    Anterior dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  49. S53.12
    Posterior subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
  50. S53.121
    Posterior subluxation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  51. S53.122
    Posterior subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  52. S53.123
    Posterior subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  53. S53.124
    Posterior dislocation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  54. S53.125
    Posterior dislocation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  55. S53.126
    Posterior dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  56. S53.13
    Medial subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
  57. S53.131
    Medial subluxation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  58. S53.132
    Medial subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  59. S53.133
    Medial subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  60. S53.134
    Medial dislocation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  61. S53.135
    Medial dislocation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  62. S53.136
    Medial dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  63. S53.14
    Lateral subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
  64. S53.141
    Lateral subluxation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  65. S53.142
    Lateral subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  66. S53.143
    Lateral subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  67. S53.144
    Lateral dislocation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  68. S53.145
    Lateral dislocation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  69. S53.146
    Lateral dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  70. S53.19
    Other subluxation and dislocation of ulnohumeral joint
    Header
  71. S53.191
    Other subluxation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  72. S53.192
    Other subluxation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  73. S53.193
    Other subluxation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  74. S53.194
    Other dislocation of right ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  75. S53.195
    Other dislocation of left ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  76. S53.196
    Other dislocation of unspecified ulnohumeral joint +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  77. S53.2
    Traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament
    Header
    Excludes1 1

    Excludes1

    • sprain of radial collateral ligament NOS (S53.43-) S53.43
  78. S53.20
    Traumatic rupture of unspecified radial collateral ligament +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  79. S53.21
    Traumatic rupture of right radial collateral ligament +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  80. S53.22
    Traumatic rupture of left radial collateral ligament +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  81. S53.3
    Traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament
    Header
    Excludes1 1

    Excludes1

    • sprain of ulnar collateral ligament (S53.44-) S53.44
  82. S53.30
    Traumatic rupture of unspecified ulnar collateral ligament +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  83. S53.31
    Traumatic rupture of right ulnar collateral ligament +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  84. S53.32
    Traumatic rupture of left ulnar collateral ligament +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  85. S53.4
    Sprain of elbow
    Header
    Excludes2 2

    Excludes2

    • traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament (S53.2-) S53.2
    • traumatic rupture of ulnar collateral ligament (S53.3-) S53.3
  86. S53.40
    Unspecified sprain of elbow
    Header
  87. S53.401
    Unspecified sprain of right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  88. S53.402
    Unspecified sprain of left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  89. S53.409
    Unspecified sprain of unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Sprain of elbow NOS
  90. S53.41
    Radiohumeral (joint) sprain
    Header
  91. S53.411
    Radiohumeral (joint) sprain of right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  92. S53.412
    Radiohumeral (joint) sprain of left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  93. S53.419
    Radiohumeral (joint) sprain of unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  94. S53.42
    Ulnohumeral (joint) sprain
    Header
  95. S53.421
    Ulnohumeral (joint) sprain of right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  96. S53.422
    Ulnohumeral (joint) sprain of left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  97. S53.429
    Ulnohumeral (joint) sprain of unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  98. S53.43
    Radial collateral ligament sprain
    Header
  99. S53.431
    Radial collateral ligament sprain of right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  100. S53.432
    Radial collateral ligament sprain of left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  101. S53.439
    Radial collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  102. S53.44
    Ulnar collateral ligament sprain
    Header
  103. S53.441
    Ulnar collateral ligament sprain of right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  104. S53.442
    Ulnar collateral ligament sprain of left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  105. S53.449
    Ulnar collateral ligament sprain of unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  106. S53.49
    Other sprain of elbow
    Header
  107. S53.491
    Other sprain of right elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  108. S53.492
    Other sprain of left elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  109. S53.499
    Other sprain of unspecified elbow +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters

Sources of each column. Rows marked +7th need a 7th character: pick one to build the full code; its code card has its own flags.

Instructions

At S53

Includes

  • avulsion of joint or ligament of elbow
  • laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of elbow
  • sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of elbow
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of elbow
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of elbow
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of elbow
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament of elbow

Excludes2

  • strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-) S56

Code also

  • any associated open wound

Notes that also apply

Block S50-S59 instructions (Excludes2 4): printed on the block page.

Chapter 19 instructions (Notes 2, Excludes2 2, Use additional code 1): printed on the chapter 19 page.

7th characters

7th characters for S53 defined here

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S53

7th characters for S53
7thMeaning (NCHS)
Ainitial encounter
Dsubsequent encounter
Ssequela

A code that takes a 7th character is invalid without it; the placeholder X fills a code shorter than 6 characters (Official Guidelines I.A.5). How 7th characters work.

Index entries

  • Nursemaid's elbow → S53.03-
  • Subluxationradial head → S53.00-
  • Dislocation (articular)radial head → S53.006
  • Dislocation (articular)elbow → S53.10-
  • Subluxationelbow (traumatic) → S53.10-
  • Sprain (joint) (ligament)elbow → S53.40-
  • Dislocation (articular)radial headanterior → S53.01-
  • Subluxationradial headanterior → S53.01-
  • Dislocation (articular)radial headposterior → S53.02-
  • Subluxationradial headposterior → S53.02-
  • Subluxationradial headnursemaid's elbow → S53.03-
  • Dislocation (articular)radial headspecified type NEC → S53.09-
  • Subluxationradial headspecified type NEC → S53.09-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbowtraumatic → S53.10-
  • Subluxationelbow (traumatic)anterior → S53.11-
  • Subluxationelbow (traumatic)posterior → S53.12-
  • Subluxationelbow (traumatic)medial → S53.13-
  • Subluxationelbow (traumatic)lateral → S53.14-
  • Subluxationelbow (traumatic)specified type NEC → S53.19-
  • Sprain (joint) (ligament)elbowradiohumeral → S53.41-
  • Sprain (joint) (ligament)elbowulnohumeral → S53.42-
  • Sprain (joint) (ligament)elbowradial collateral ligament → S53.43-
  • Sprain (joint) (ligament)elbowulnar collateral ligament → S53.44-
  • Sprain (joint) (ligament)elbowspecified type NEC → S53.49-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbowtraumaticanterior → S53.11-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbowtraumaticposterior → S53.12-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbowtraumaticmedial → S53.13-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbowtraumaticlateral → S53.14-
  • Dislocation (articular)elbowtraumaticspecified type NEC → S53.19-
  • Rupture, rupturedtraumaticligamentradial collateral → S53.2-
  • Rupture, rupturedtraumaticligamentulnar collateral → S53.3-

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