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    OpenPayerBilling CodesInjuries to the thoraxICD-10-CM s22-fracture-of-ribs-sternum-thoracic-spine
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Fracture Of Rib(s), Sternum And Thoracic Spine: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group S22 includes fractures of the ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae, covering single and multiple rib fractures, sternal fractures, and thoracic spine fractures. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document traumatic thoracic injuries, capturing injury location, laterality, and associated complications or displacement when specified. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM S22 group supports proper claim adjudication by payers, complete clinical documentation for care continuity, and appropriate reimbursement for acute and surgical services.

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    ICD-10-CM S22: Fracture Of Rib(s), Sternum And Thoracic Spine Overview

    This code group represents acute traumatic fractures of the ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae involving the thoracic cage and spine. These injuries affect the thorax and may impact respiratory function, cardiovascular structures, or spinal stability. Accurate coding is important for complete clinical documentation and supports appropriate reimbursement for related acute care and surgical interventions.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient has a documented traumatic fracture of one or more ribs, a sternal fracture, or a fracture of the thoracic spine. Select the most specific code available to reflect laterality, displacement, and any associated complications documented in the clinical record.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    354 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    S22.000AWedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S22.000BWedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
    S22.000DWedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
    S22.000GWedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    S22.000KWedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
    S22.000SWedge compression fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, sequela
    S22.001AStable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S22.001BStable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
    S22.001DStable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
    S22.001GStable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    S22.001KStable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
    S22.001SStable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, sequela
    S22.002AUnstable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S22.002BUnstable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
    S22.002DUnstable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
    S22.002GUnstable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
    S22.002KUnstable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
    S22.002SUnstable burst fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, sequela
    S22.008AOther fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
    S22.008BOther fracture of unspecified thoracic vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture

    Showing 1–20 of 354

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    DRG Codes

    16 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    183Major Chest Trauma with MCC
    184Major Chest Trauma with CC
    185Major Chest Trauma without CC/MCC
    205Other Respiratory System Diagnoses with MCC
    206Other Respiratory System Diagnoses without MCC
    551Medical Back Problems with MCC
    552Medical Back Problems without MCC
    559Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with MCC
    560Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with CC
    561Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without CC/MCC
    564Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC
    565Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC
    566Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC
    963Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC
    964Other Multiple Significant Trauma with CC
    965Other Multiple Significant Trauma without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision with severe chest pain, localized tenderness over multiple right anterior ribs, and respiratory splinting; chest x‑ray and CT confirm acute, displaced fractures of the right 4th and 5th ribs without open wound. The injury is recent and due to blunt trauma, so an initial encounter code for closed rib fractures is assigned. Typical codes: S22.031A, S22.030A
    • An elderly patient on chronic corticosteroid therapy falls at home and is evaluated in the urgent care clinic several days later for worsening back pain and limited mobility; imaging reveals a nonunion or delayed healing fracture of the thoracic spine incurred weeks earlier. Because this represents ongoing care for a healing thoracic vertebral fracture rather than the initial encounter, a subsequent or sequela code from the group documenting the thoracic spine fracture is used. Typical codes: S22.022D, S22.021D
    • A hospitalized patient with multiple rib fractures from a workplace fall develops respiratory compromise and is diagnosed with flail chest and associated open fracture of the sternum requiring operative fixation; this is coded when complications or open wounds accompany the thoracic fractures during the same admission. Typical codes: S22.000G, S22.010G

    Related Codes

    S20-SUPERFICIAL-INJURY-OF-THORAX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Superficial Injury Of Thorax: Group Overview

    S21-OPEN-WOUND-OF-THORAX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Open Wound Of Thorax: Group Overview

    S23-DISLOCATION-AND-SPRAIN-THORAX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Dislocation And Sprain Of Joints And Ligaments Of Thorax: Group Overview

    S24-INJURY-OF-THORACIC-NERVES-AND-SPINAL-CORD

    ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Nerves And Spinal Cord At Thorax Level: Group Overview

    S25-INJURY-OF-BLOOD-VESSELS-OF-THORAX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Blood Vessels Of Thorax: Group Overview

    S26-INJURY-OF-HEART

    ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Heart: Group Overview

    S27-INJURY-OF-INTRATHORACIC-ORGANS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Injury Of Other And Unspecified Intrathoracic Organs: Group Overview

    S28-CRUSHING-INJURY-OF-THORAX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Crushing Injury Of Thorax And Traumatic Amputation Of Part Of Thorax: Group Overview

    S29-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-INJURIES-OF-THORAX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Injuries Of Thorax: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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