Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm | S44 ICD-10-CM Coding

Summary & Overview

Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Group Overview

International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes under the group ICD-10-CM S44 cover injuries to nerves at the shoulder and upper arm level, including traumatic and compressive neuropathies affecting motor and sensory function. Accurate ICD-10-CM coding in this group is significant for correct claim adjudication and ensuring appropriate payment for the complexity and resources associated with nerve injury care.

Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm levelICD-10-CM`ICD-10-CM S44`shoulderupper armbrachial plexusperipheral nerve injuryneuropathytrauma

Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level Overview

This group includes diagnoses for traumatic or compressive injuries to nerves located at the shoulder and upper arm, affecting peripheral nerve function of the upper limb. These conditions target the peripheral nervous system supplying motor and sensory function of the shoulder, arm, and adjacent structures. Accurate coding is important for correct clinical documentation, care coordination, and appropriate reimbursement determination under ICD-10-CM payment rules.

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged construction worker presents to the emergency department after a fall from scaffolding with immediate severe shoulder pain, numbness over the lateral upper arm, and weakness with shoulder abduction. Examination and imaging suggest a traumatic open laceration to the axillary region with acute nerve injury at the shoulder level, and the patient requires urgent surgical exploration and repair. A code from this group is assigned to capture the acute traumatic nerve injury and initial encounter for open wound management. Typical codes: S4400XA, S4410XA
An elderly patient develops progressive numbness, burning pain, and motor weakness in the deltoid and upper-arm muscles weeks after a closed proximal humerus fracture treated conservatively; electrodiagnostic testing confirms neuropathy of the brachial plexus/axillary nerve consistent with delayed or subsequent encounter care. This scenario represents a subacute to chronic nerve injury related to prior shoulder trauma where coding reflects ongoing treatment and sequela evaluation. Typical codes: S4410XD, S4420XD
A patient with documented iatrogenic brachial plexus injury following shoulder arthroplasty returns months later for management of persistent neuropathic pain and weakness; the visit documents complications and sequelae of the prior surgical nerve injury. Coding in this visit captures the post-procedural nerve injury during a subsequent encounter or sequela phase to track long-term complication management. Typical codes: S448X1S, S4490XS} PMID: none} PMID: none

ICD-10-CM Codes

ICD-10-CM codes are structured hierarchically — each code begins with a letter representing the chapter, followed by two digits identifying the category, then a decimal point and additional characters that specify the exact condition, site, and any relevant detail such as laterality or episode of care. Every code in this table shares the same category characters, meaning they all describe variations of the same underlying diagnosis. The remaining characters distinguish specific manifestations, anatomical sites, or clinical circumstances within that category.

72 rows

Description
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm, initial encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm, sequela
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm, initial encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm, sequela
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm, initial encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm, sequela
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm, initial encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm, sequela
Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter

Showing 1–20 of 72

DRG Codes

DRG	Description
DRG 073	Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders with MCC
DRG 074	Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders without MCC
DRG 091	Other Disorders of Nervous System with MCC
DRG 092	Other Disorders of Nervous System with CC
DRG 093	Other Disorders of Nervous System without CC/MCC
DRG 949	Aftercare with CC/MCC
DRG 950	Aftercare without CC/MCC
DRG 963	Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC
DRG 964

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ICD-10-CM Codes

72 rows

Description
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm, initial encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, right arm, sequela
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm, initial encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of ulnar nerve at upper arm level, left arm, sequela
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm, initial encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, right arm, sequela
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm, initial encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm, subsequent encounter
Injury of median nerve at upper arm level, left arm, sequela
Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter

Showing 1–20 of 72

DRG Codes

DRG	Description
DRG 073	Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders with MCC
DRG 074	Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders without MCC
DRG 091	Other Disorders of Nervous System with MCC
DRG 092	Other Disorders of Nervous System with CC
DRG 093	Other Disorders of Nervous System without CC/MCC
DRG 949	Aftercare with CC/MCC
DRG 950	Aftercare without CC/MCC
DRG 963	Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC
DRG 964