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M75.100
ICD-10-CM
Rotator Cuff Injury

Find information on rotator cuff injury diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (S46.0, M75.1, etc.), medical coding guidelines, and healthcare resources. Learn about rotator cuff tear symptoms, examination findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment options. This resource provides valuable information for physicians, coders, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of rotator cuff injuries. Explore relevant medical terminology, diagnostic criteria, and best practices for accurate clinical documentation and coding.

Also known as

Rotator Cuff Tear
Shoulder Tendon Tear

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Shoulder pain and weakness caused by damaged rotator cuff tendons.
  • Clinical Signs : Limited range of motion, pain with overhead activities, shoulder clicking or popping.
  • Common Settings : Sports injuries, repetitive overhead work, falls, aging.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC M75.100 Coding
M75.1-

Rotator cuff syndromes

Includes tears, ruptures, and other disorders of the rotator cuff.

S46.-

Injury of shoulder and upper arm

Covers various injuries to the shoulder and upper arm, including rotator cuff injuries.

M25.5-

Pain in shoulder

May be used to code pain associated with a rotator cuff injury.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the rotator cuff tear complete or full-thickness?

  • Yes

    Which tendon is torn?

  • No

    Is it a partial tear?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Rotator cuff tear or inflammation
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Rotator cuff injury diagnosis: ICD-10 code, laterality
  • Document affected shoulder: right, left, bilateral
  • Injury details: acute, chronic, traumatic, atraumatic
  • Physical exam findings: ROM, tenderness, strength
  • Imaging results: X-ray, MRI, ultrasound findings

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding rotator cuff injury without specifying affected side (right, left, bilateral) leads to claim denials and inaccurate data.

  • Trauma vs. Overuse

    Incorrectly coding traumatic vs. overuse/degenerative rotator cuff tears impacts severity and reimbursement. Documentation must be clear.

  • Partial vs. Full Tear

    Distinguishing partial from full-thickness tears is crucial for accurate coding. Vague documentation leads to coding errors and compliance issues.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document precise rotator cuff tear size for accurate ICD-10 coding.
  • Specific physical exam findings improve CDI for rotator cuff injuries.
  • Consistent documentation supports medical necessity for MRI/surgery, ensuring compliance.
  • Clear pain descriptors and functional limitations improve E/M coding accuracy.
  • Use standardized terminology for rotator cuff pathology to optimize reimbursement.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm pain/weakness shoulder abduction/external rotation
  • Palpate for tenderness/crepitus rotator cuff tendons
  • Assess ROM limitations active/passive movement
  • Evaluate impingement/instability special tests Neer Hawkins
  • Document positive physical exam findings/imaging correlation

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Rotator Cuff Injury Reimbursement: Maximize revenue with accurate ICD-10 (S46, M75) and CPT (23410-29828) coding. Proper modifier use impacts claims processing and reduces denials.
  • Coding Accuracy: Optimize Rotator Cuff Injury claims. Avoid common coding errors for accurate reimbursement. Prevent audits and improve revenue cycle management.
  • Hospital Reporting: Accurate Rotator Cuff Injury coding improves data quality for hospital reporting. Impacts quality metrics, resource allocation, and clinical outcomes analysis.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Accurate documentation and coding for Rotator Cuff Injury affects quality scores. Impacts hospital reimbursement tied to performance benchmarks.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

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

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code rotator cuff tear with laterality
  • Document injury mechanism clearly
  • Specify acute or chronic tear status
  • Include MRI findings for accurate code
  • Use M75.1- for unspecified RTC tear

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with rotator cuff injury.  Symptoms include shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.  Onset of symptoms began approximately [duration] ago and is described as [character of pain: e.g., sharp, dull, aching] and located in the [location of pain: e.g., anterior, posterior, lateral] aspect of the shoulder.  The pain is [exacerbating factors: e.g., aggravated by overhead activities, lifting, sleeping on affected side] and [relieving factors: e.g., relieved by rest, ice].  Patient reports [impact on activities of daily living: e.g., difficulty with dressing, reaching, driving].  Physical examination reveals [positive or negative findings: e.g., tenderness to palpation over the rotator cuff tendons, positive Neer impingement sign, positive Hawkins-Kennedy test, limited active and passive range of motion in abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation].  Differential diagnoses include rotator cuff tendinitis, rotator cuff tear, shoulder impingement syndrome, adhesive capsulitis, and cervical radiculopathy.  Preliminary diagnosis is rotator cuff injury.  Plan includes [diagnostic tests: e.g., shoulder x-ray, MRI if indicated], [treatment: e.g., conservative management with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), NSAIDs, physical therapy referral for range of motion exercises and strengthening, corticosteroid injection if indicated], and follow-up in [duration] to assess response to treatment.  Patient education provided regarding rotator cuff injury care, activity modification, and expected recovery.  ICD-10 code [appropriate ICD-10 code, e.g., M75.11 - Rotator cuff tear or rupture, right shoulder] and CPT codes [appropriate CPT codes for evaluation and management, injections, or procedures performed] will be assigned based on final diagnosis and treatment plan.  Prognosis is [prognosis: e.g., good with conservative treatment, guarded if surgery required].