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S46.912A
ICD-10-CM
Left Shoulder Strain

Find information on left shoulder strain diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (S43.4-, S43.401A, S43.401D, S43.402A, S43.402D), medical coding, treatment, and healthcare provider resources. Learn about left shoulder pain, rotator cuff injuries, muscle strains, and appropriate medical terminology for accurate diagnosis and billing. Explore symptoms, causes, and recovery tips for left shoulder strain.

Also known as

Left Rotator Cuff Strain
Left Shoulder Capsule Strain

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Stretching or tearing of shoulder muscles or tendons.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, limited range of motion, tenderness, swelling, muscle spasms.
  • Common Settings : Sports injuries, falls, overuse, heavy lifting.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S46.912A Coding
S43.4-

Sprain and strain of shoulder

Includes strains and sprains of the rotator cuff muscles or tendons.

M75.1-

Rotator cuff syndromes

Covers rotator cuff tendinitis, impingement, and tears.

S46.0-

Traumatic rupture of ligaments of shoulder

Relates to ligament tears caused by injury, but may coexist with strain.

M25.5-

Pain in shoulder

A more general code if specific strain diagnosis not confirmed.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the left shoulder strain traumatic?

  • Yes

    Initial encounter?

  • No

    Overuse/chronic strain?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Left Shoulder Strain
Left Shoulder Sprain
Left Rotator Cuff Tear

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Left shoulder pain onset, duration, and location
  • Mechanism of injury or activity causing strain
  • Severity documented: mild, moderate, or severe
  • Physical exam findings: tenderness, ROM limitation
  • Impact on ADLs: limitations in daily activities

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding left shoulder strain without specifying laterality can lead to inaccurate billing and data analysis. Use ICD-10 codes like S43.421A for the left side.

  • Strain vs. Sprain

    Confusing strain (muscle/tendon) with sprain (ligament) leads to incorrect ICD-10 code assignment. Accurate documentation is crucial for correct coding.

  • Lacking Specificity

    Using a generic strain code without specifying the location (e.g., rotator cuff, biceps) impacts reimbursement and data quality. Ensure proper documentation and specific coding.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for acute pain management. ICD-10: S43.4xxA
  • Proper documentation of mechanism of injury for accurate coding. CDI query for clarity.
  • Controlled range of motion exercises for rehabilitation. CPT codes: 97110, 97112
  • Pain management with NSAIDs or other analgesics as prescribed. Monitor for adverse effects.
  • Follow-up care and compliance with treatment plan for optimal healing. Document patient education.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm left shoulder pain onset mechanism (e.g., trauma, overuse)
  • Palpate left shoulder for tenderness, edema, deformity
  • Assess left shoulder ROM actively and passively
  • Evaluate left shoulder strength and stability
  • Rule out other diagnoses (fracture, dislocation, rotator cuff tear)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Left Shoulder Strain reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10 (S43.4-) and CPT coding for optimal payment.
  • Coding quality impacts shoulder strain claim denials, affecting hospital revenue cycle management and timely reimbursement.
  • Accurate reporting of left shoulder strain diagnoses influences hospital quality metrics and performance benchmarks.
  • Proper documentation and coding minimize compliance risks related to shoulder strain diagnosis and improve data integrity.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code S43.4XXA-S43.4XXD
  • Specify laterality: left
  • Document injury mechanism
  • Consider 7th character for encounter
  • Rule out rotator cuff tear

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints of left shoulder pain, consistent with a left shoulder strain.  Onset of pain occurred [Date of onset] while [Mechanism of injury - e.g., lifting heavy objects, playing sports, falling].  Patient reports [Character of pain - e.g., sharp, dull, aching, throbbing] pain located in the [Location of pain - e.g., anterior, posterior, lateral] aspect of the left shoulder, exacerbated by [Exacerbating factors - e.g., movement, palpation, overhead activities] and relieved by [Relieving factors - e.g., rest, ice, analgesics].  Pain is rated [Pain scale rating] on a 0-10 scale.  Physical examination reveals [Findings - e.g., tenderness to palpation over the left deltoid muscle, limited range of motion in the left shoulder, no obvious deformity or ecchymosis].  Neurovascular examination of the left upper extremity is intact.  Differential diagnosis includes rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, and shoulder impingement.  Assessment: Left shoulder strain.  ICD-10 code: [Appropriate ICD-10 code - e.g., S43.409A].  Treatment plan includes rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for pain management, and physical therapy for range of motion and strengthening exercises.  Patient education provided on proper body mechanics and activity modification.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in [Duration - e.g., one week, two weeks] to assess response to treatment and adjust plan as needed.  Prognosis is good for full recovery with conservative management.