Understanding clavicle pain, also known as collarbone pain or shoulder girdle pain, is crucial for accurate clinical documentation and medical coding. This resource provides information on diagnosing and documenting clavicle pain, including relevant ICD-10 codes, common causes like fractures and dislocations, and associated symptoms. Learn about differential diagnoses for shoulder pain and best practices for healthcare professionals dealing with clavicle injuries. Explore treatment options and resources for patients experiencing collarbone pain.
Also known as
Myalgia and myositis, unspecified
Pain in the muscles, including those around the clavicle.
Pain in joint
Pain in the acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joints.
Fracture of clavicle
Pain may be due to a clavicle fracture if trauma occurred.
Enthesopathy of upper limb, excluding wrist
Pain where tendons/ligaments attach to clavicle (enthesopathy).
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the clavicle pain traumatic in origin?
Yes
Is there a fracture?
No
Is there an underlying medical condition?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Pain in the clavicle bone. |
| Pain in the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. |
| Pain in the sternoclavicular (SC) joint. |
Coding requires specifying right, left, or bilateral clavicle pain for accurate reimbursement and data analysis. Missing laterality can lead to claim denials.
Distinguishing between traumatic and non-traumatic clavicle pain is crucial for proper ICD-10 coding (e.g., fracture vs. inflammation). Unclear documentation creates coding ambiguity.
Clavicle pain may be a symptom of a more serious condition (e.g., arthritis, infection). Failure to code the underlying cause impacts quality reporting and reimbursement.
Q: What are the key differential diagnoses to consider when a patient presents with persistent clavicle pain after a fall?
A: Persistent clavicle pain after a fall necessitates a thorough differential diagnosis to ensure accurate treatment. Beyond the common clavicle fracture, clinicians should consider other possibilities such as acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, sternoclavicular (SC) joint dislocation, contusions of the surrounding soft tissues, brachial plexus injury, or even referred pain from the cervical spine or shoulder. Accurate diagnosis involves a detailed patient history, physical examination including palpation for point tenderness and assessment of neurovascular status, and imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI as indicated. Explore how advanced imaging techniques can aid in differentiating complex clavicle injuries and guiding treatment decisions.
Q: How can I differentiate between a clavicle fracture and an AC joint separation in a clinical setting, and what specific examination techniques are most helpful?
A: Differentiating between a clavicle fracture and an AC joint separation relies on a combination of physical examination findings and imaging. Palpation for point tenderness directly over the clavicle suggests a fracture, while pain localized to the AC joint indicates a possible separation. Observe for any visible deformity or step-off at the AC joint. Specific examination techniques include the cross-body adduction test, which can elicit pain in AC joint injuries, and assessing for piano key sign, where downward pressure on the distal clavicle causes it to spring back up, indicative of an AC joint separation. Radiographic imaging is essential to confirm the diagnosis and classify the severity of the injury. Consider implementing a standardized examination protocol for shoulder girdle injuries to improve diagnostic accuracy. Learn more about the specific radiological findings associated with different types of clavicle and AC joint injuries.
Patient presents with complaints of clavicle pain, also described as collarbone pain or shoulder girdle pain. Onset of pain was [Date of onset] and is characterized as [Character of pain: e.g., sharp, dull, aching, burning, throbbing]. The pain is located [Location of pain: e.g., medial clavicle, distal clavicle, right clavicle, left clavicle] and radiates to [Radiation of pain: e.g., shoulder, neck, arm]. Patient reports [Aggravating factors: e.g., pain worse with movement, lifting, lying on affected side] and [Alleviating factors: e.g., pain relieved with rest, ice, heat]. The patient denies any history of trauma, fracture, or dislocation to the affected area. Review of systems is negative for fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, or other systemic symptoms. Physical examination reveals [Physical exam findings: e.g., tenderness to palpation over the clavicle, limited range of motion in the shoulder, crepitus]. Differential diagnoses include clavicle fracture, acromioclavicular joint injury, sternoclavicular joint injury, brachial plexus injury, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Ordered imaging studies include [Imaging studies: e.g., X-ray of the clavicle, MRI of the shoulder]. Assessment: Clavicle pain, etiology undetermined. Plan: Patient education on activity modification, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [Duration] to review imaging results and discuss further management options, including physical therapy referral if symptoms persist. ICD-10 code [Appropriate ICD-10 code, e.g., M77.11] is considered.