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
Sprain and strain of shoulder
Includes strains and sprains of the rotator cuff muscles or tendons.
Rotator cuff syndromes
Covers rotator cuff tendinitis, impingement, and tears.
Traumatic rupture of ligaments of shoulder
Relates to ligament tears caused by injury, but may coexist with strain.
Pain in shoulder
A more general code if specific strain diagnosis not confirmed.
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?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Left Shoulder Strain |
Left Shoulder Sprain |
Left Rotator Cuff Tear |
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.
Confusing strain (muscle/tendon) with sprain (ligament) leads to incorrect ICD-10 code assignment. Accurate documentation is crucial for correct coding.
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.
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.