ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group 2W38 includes procedures performed to immobilize soft tissues or structures in the upper extremity, right. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when a clinician places or applies a device or material to limit or prevent motion of the right upper extremity. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS 2W38 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the immobilization procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Upper Extremity Right Immobilization Procedure Overview

The procedures in ICD-10 PCS 2W38 involve immobilization techniques applied to the right upper extremity to limit or prevent motion of that anatomical region. These procedures target the anatomical regions body system and are coded in the Placement section of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System. Accurate coding of these immobilization procedures ensures inpatient records reflect the performed immobilization and supports appropriate payment determination.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
2	Section	Placement
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
3	Operation	Immobilization
8	Body Part	Upper Extremity, Right

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Upper Extremity Right Immobilization Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
2	Section	Placement
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
3	Operation	Immobilization
8	Body Part	Upper Extremity, Right

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a device, material, or method is applied to the right upper extremity to restrict movement during an inpatient encounter. These codes are appropriate when the primary intent of the placement is immobilization rather than repair, removal, or other actions.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
2W38X1Z	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Splint
2W38X2Z	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Cast
2W38X3Z	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Brace
2W38XYZ	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Other Device

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient presents to the inpatient unit after a ground-level fall causing a nondisplaced distal radius fracture of the right arm. The primary inpatient procedure is application of a cast to immobilize the right upper extremity to promote fracture stability and pain control while awaiting orthopedic follow-up. The immobilization is performed as the principal placement procedure during this admission. Typical codes: 2W38X2Z
A middle-aged patient is admitted electively for management of chronic wrist instability and tendonitis refractory to conservative therapy. As part of the planned inpatient treatment, a custom-fitted brace is placed on the right upper extremity to limit motion, protect repaired soft tissue structures, and facilitate postoperative rehabilitation. The placement is deliberate and intended as the definitive immobilization during the hospital stay. Typical codes: 2W38X3Z
A patient returns to the hospital with increased pain and skin breakdown under an existing splint applied to the right forearm after recent injury. Clinicians remove the compromised splint and place an alternative immobilization device to protect the limb and address wound concerns. The inpatient procedure documents placement of a new immobilizing device on the right upper extremity to manage the complication. Typical codes: 2W38X1Z, 2W38XYZ

Related Codes

2W30-HEAD-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W31-FACE-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Face: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W32-NECK-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W33-ABDOMINAL-WALL-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W34-CHEST-WALL-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W35-BACK-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Back: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W36-INGUINAL-REGION-RIGHT-LIMITATION-INGUINAL-REGION-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Inguinal Region, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W37-INGUINAL-REGION-LEFT-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Inguinal Region Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W39-LEFT-UPPER-EXTREMITY-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W3A-UPPER-ARM-RIGHT-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Arm Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

Showing 1–10 of 29

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

4 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
2W38X1Z	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Splint
2W38X2Z	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Cast
2W38X3Z	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Brace
2W38XYZ	Immobilization of Right Upper Extremity using Other Device

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient presents to the inpatient unit after a ground-level fall causing a nondisplaced distal radius fracture of the right arm. The primary inpatient procedure is application of a cast to immobilize the right upper extremity to promote fracture stability and pain control while awaiting orthopedic follow-up. The immobilization is performed as the principal placement procedure during this admission. Typical codes: 2W38X2Z
A middle-aged patient is admitted electively for management of chronic wrist instability and tendonitis refractory to conservative therapy. As part of the planned inpatient treatment, a custom-fitted brace is placed on the right upper extremity to limit motion, protect repaired soft tissue structures, and facilitate postoperative rehabilitation. The placement is deliberate and intended as the definitive immobilization during the hospital stay. Typical codes: 2W38X3Z
A patient returns to the hospital with increased pain and skin breakdown under an existing splint applied to the right forearm after recent injury. Clinicians remove the compromised splint and place an alternative immobilization device to protect the limb and address wound concerns. The inpatient procedure documents placement of a new immobilizing device on the right upper extremity to manage the complication. Typical codes: 2W38X1Z, 2W38XYZ

Related Codes

2W30-HEAD-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W31-FACE-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Face: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W32-NECK-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Neck: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W33-ABDOMINAL-WALL-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W34-CHEST-WALL-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W35-BACK-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Back: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W36-INGUINAL-REGION-RIGHT-LIMITATION-INGUINAL-REGION-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Inguinal Region, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W37-INGUINAL-REGION-LEFT-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Inguinal Region Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W39-LEFT-UPPER-EXTREMITY-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

2W3A-UPPER-ARM-RIGHT-IMMOBILIZATION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Arm Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

Showing 1–10 of 29

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Right: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Upper Extremity Right Immobilization Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Right: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Upper Extremity Right Immobilization Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group 2W38?

What is the ICD-10-PCS section and operation for these codes?

How should documentation support coding in the 2W38 group?

Does the 2W38 code group specify the body part laterality?

Are there related DRGs listed for the 2W38 code group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which procedures are included in ICD-10-PCS code group 2W38?

What is the ICD-10-PCS section and operation for these codes?

How should documentation support coding in the 2W38 group?

Does the 2W38 code group specify the body part laterality?

Are there related DRGs listed for the 2W38 code group?

References