S52 – Fracture of forearm

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the elbow and forearm

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S52

Code: S52 (claims format: S52)
Description: Fracture of forearm
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: S50-S59 Injuries to the elbow and forearm

Billable codes under S52

S52 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S52.0 – Fracture of upper end of ulnaHeader (more codes below)
S52.1 – Fracture of upper end of radiusHeader (more codes below)
S52.2 – Fracture of shaft of ulnaHeader (more codes below)
S52.3 – Fracture of shaft of radiusHeader (more codes below)
S52.5 – Fracture of lower end of radiusHeader (more codes below)
S52.6 – Fracture of lower end of ulnaHeader (more codes below)
S52.9 – Unspecified fracture of forearmHeader (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
`B`	initial encounter for open fracture type I or II
`C`	initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC
`D`	subsequent encounter for closed fracture with routine healing
`E`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with routine healing
`F`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with routine healing
`G`	subsequent encounter for closed fracture with delayed healing
`H`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with delayed healing
`J`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing
`K`	subsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunion
`M`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
`N`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunion
`P`	subsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunion
`Q`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with malunion
`R`	subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunion
`S`	sequela

Notes for S52

Excludes1 (not coded here):

traumatic amputation of forearm (S58.-)

Excludes2 (not included here):

fracture at wrist and hand level (S62.-)
periprosthetic fracture around internal prosthetic elbow joint (M97.4)

Notes:

A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed
The open fracture designations are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from category S52

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

Block S50-S59

Excludes2 (not included here):

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
frostbite (T33-T34)
injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69)
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S52?

S52 is the ICD-10-CM code for fracture of forearm, in the block S50-S59 (Injuries to the elbow and forearm).

Is S52 a billable code?

No. S52 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.