S24 – Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the thorax

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S24

Code: S24 (claims format: S24)
Description: Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Block: S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax

Billable codes under S24

S24 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S24.0 – Concussion and edema of thoracic spinal cordHeader (more codes below)
S24.1 – Other and unspecified injuries of thoracic spinal cordHeader (more codes below)
S24.2 – Injury of nerve root of thoracic spineHeader (more codes below)
S24.3 – Injury of peripheral nerves of thoraxHeader (more codes below)
S24.4 – Injury of thoracic sympathetic nervous systemHeader (more codes below)
S24.8 – Injury of other specified nerves of thoraxHeader (more codes below)
S24.9 – Injury of unspecified nerve of thoraxHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes for S24

Excludes2 (not included here):

injury of brachial plexus (S14.3)

Code also:

any associated:
fracture of thoracic vertebra (S22.0-)
open wound of thorax (S21.-)
transient paralysis (R29.5)

Notes:

Code to highest level of thoracic spinal cord injury
Injuries to the spinal cord (S24.0 and S24.1) refer to the cord level and not bone level injury, and can affect nerve roots at and below the level given.

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S24

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

Block S20-S29

Includes:

injuries of breast
injuries of chest (wall)
injuries of interscapular area

Excludes2 (not included here):

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)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S24?

S24 is the ICD-10-CM code for injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level, in the block S20-S29 (Injuries to the thorax).

Is S24 a billable code?

No. S24 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.