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S29.012A
ICD-10-CM
Upper Back Strain

Find information on upper back strain diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes, symptoms, treatment, and muscle strain. Learn about thoracic spine pain, back muscle pain, and upper back pain relief. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on proper documentation and coding for upper back strain for accurate billing and reimbursement. This resource provides details on identifying and documenting upper back muscle strain, including relevant medical terminology and best practices for healthcare providers.

Also known as

Thoracic Strain
Upper Back Muscle Strain

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Overstretching or tearing of back muscles and tendons in the upper back.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, limited range of motion, tenderness to touch.
  • Common Settings : Weightlifting, sudden twisting, poor posture, repetitive movements, falls.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S29.012A Coding
S39.00-S39.012

Sprains and strains of thoracic spine

Injury to soft tissues supporting the mid-back.

M54.5-

Low back pain

Pain in the lower back, sometimes extending upward.

M79.1-

Myalgia

Muscle pain, which can occur in the upper back.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Traumatic injury?

  • Yes

    Initial encounter?

  • No

    Overexertion?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Upper back muscle strain
Thoracic facet syndrome
Intercostal neuralgia

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Upper back pain onset, duration, location
  • Mechanism of injury if applicable
  • Aggravating and alleviating factors
  • Physical exam findings: ROM, tenderness
  • Pain scale rating (e.g., 0-10)

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate ICD-10 coding (M54.5x) for upper back strain diagnosis.
  • Thorough documentation of pain onset, location, and characteristics for CDI.
  • Conservative treatment: Rest, ice, NSAIDs, PT. Avoid opioids initially.
  • Follow established clinical guidelines for back pain management and compliance.
  • Regular patient reassessment and documentation of progress for improved outcomes.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify pain localized to upper back, rule out radiating pain
  • Confirm recent strenuous activity or unusual posture
  • Palpate for muscle tenderness, spasm in upper back
  • Assess range of motion, check for limitations
  • Exclude other diagnoses spinal fracture, nerve compression

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Upper back strain reimbursement tied to accurate ICD-10 (M54.5x) and CPT code selection impacts claim denial rates.
  • Coding quality for upper back strain diagnosis affects physician work RVUs impacting hospital reimbursement.
  • Proper documentation of upper back strain severity impacts MS-DRG assignment and case mix index reporting.
  • Accurate upper back strain diagnosis coding impacts quality metrics related to patient outcomes and readmission rates.

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 M54.5 for upper back strain
  • Document pain location, type, onset
  • Specify muscle involvement if known
  • Consider R53.83 for general back pain
  • Rule out radiculopathy, other diagnoses

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints of upper back pain, consistent with a diagnosis of upper back strain (thoracic strain).  Onset of pain was reported as [onset - e.g., gradual, sudden] and began [duration - e.g., two days ago, one week ago] following [possible cause - e.g., lifting heavy objects, strenuous activity, prolonged sitting, awkward sleeping position, fall, MVA].  Pain quality is described as [pain quality - e.g., aching, sharp, dull, throbbing, burning] and located in the [location - e.g., upper back, between the shoulder blades, right paraspinal muscles, left trapezius region].  Patient denies any radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the extremities.  Pain is aggravated by [aggravating factors - e.g., movement, deep breathing, certain postures] and relieved by [relieving factors - e.g., rest, heat, over-the-counter pain medication].  Physical examination reveals [physical exam findings - e.g., muscle tenderness to palpation in the upper back, paraspinal muscle spasm, limited range of motion in the thoracic spine, no neurological deficits].  Differential diagnoses considered include muscle strain, myofascial pain syndrome, and vertebral fracture.  Vertebral fracture is considered unlikely due to the [reasoning, e.g., mechanism of injury, lack of significant trauma].  Diagnosis of upper back strain is supported by the patient's history and physical examination findings.  Treatment plan includes [treatment plan - e.g., rest, ice, heat therapy, over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, gentle stretching, physical therapy referral].  Patient education provided on proper body mechanics, posture, and lifting techniques.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in [duration - e.g., one week, two weeks] to assess response to treatment and adjust plan as needed.  ICD-10 code M75.1 (thoracic strain) is appropriate for this diagnosis.