S49 – Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S49

Code: S49 (claims format: S49)
Description: Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm
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: S40-S49 Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm

Billable codes under S49

S49 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S49.0 – Physeal fracture of upper end of humerusHeader (more codes below)
S49.1 – Physeal fracture of lower end of humerusHeader (more codes below)
S49.8 – Other specified injuries of shoulder and upper armHeader (more codes below)
S49.9 – Unspecified injury of shoulder and upper armHeader (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 for closed fracture
`D`	subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
`G`	subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
`K`	subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
`P`	subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion
`S`	sequela

Notes for S49

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategories S49.0 and S49.1

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

Block S40-S49

Includes:

injuries of axilla
injuries of scapular region

Excludes2 (not included here):

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
frostbite (T33-T34)
injuries of elbow (S50-S59)
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S49?

S49 is the ICD-10-CM code for other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm, in the block S40-S49 (Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm).

Is S49 a billable code?

No. S49 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.