S03

ICD-10Non-billable category

Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head

Official ICD-10-CM descriptor (FY2026)

Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head

S03 is a category heading, not a billable code. CMS does not accept it on a claim; report one of the more specific codes beneath it.

Includes

  • avulsion of joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • laceration of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • sprain of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament of head

Excludes2

Not included here. The condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, and both codes may be reported together.

  • Strain of muscle or tendon of head (S09.1)

Code also

Two codes may be needed; sequencing depends on the reason for the encounter.

  • any associated open wound

7th character

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S03

Permitted 7th characters

Ainitial encounter
Dsubsequent encounter
Ssequela

More specific codes under S03

Where this code sits

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Source

ICD-10-CM FY2026. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) / National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), “2026 ICD-10-CM Code Descriptions in Tabular Order (icd10cm_order_2026.txt). Download the original file from cms.gov. Public domain (US Government work). Descriptors, billable flags and instructional notes on this page are reproduced from that file without modification. Krasyn adds no clinical guidance.

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