All ICD10 Codes
S22Not billable, use a more specific code below

Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine

In Injuries to the thorax (S20-S29), chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes

354 billable codes under S22: 60 are an MCC, 117 are a CC; 90 map to HCC 401 (Vertebral Fractures without Spinal Cord Injury).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.

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Instructional notes

Includes: conditions that are coded here

  • fracture of thoracic neural arch
  • fracture of thoracic spinous process
  • fracture of thoracic transverse process
  • fracture of thoracic vertebra
  • fracture of thoracic vertebral arch

Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code

  • transection of thorax (S28.1)

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

  • fracture of clavicle (S42.0-)
  • fracture of scapula (S42.1-)

Code first: code the underlying condition first, then this code

  • if applicable, spinal cord injury (S24.0-, S24.1-)

Code also: add a code for this too, order depends on the encounter

  • if applicable, any associated condition such as:
  • injury of intrathoracic organ (S27.-)
  • traumatic hemopneumothorax (S27.2)
  • traumatic hemothorax (S27.1-)
  • traumatic pneumothorax (S27.0)

Also applies, from Injuries to the thorax (S20-S29)

These notes sit on S20-S29 and apply to every code under it, including S22.

Includes: conditions that are coded here

  • injuries of breast
  • injuries of chest (wall)
  • injuries of interscapular area

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
  • effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
  • effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
  • effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of axilla
  • injuries of clavicle
  • injuries of scapular region
  • injuries of shoulder
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

  • Section I.C.19.c Coding of Traumatic Fractures (page 79), covers S22

    Code fractures by site; default to closed and displaced when not specified. Use initial 7th characters during active treatment and subsequent ones during healing, not aftercare Z codes; use M80 for osteoporotic fractures from minor trauma.

Other Chapter 19 topics:

Read Section I.C.19 (page 77)

All codes under S22

S22 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

S22 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under S22 group to these 16 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

Other codes that refer to S22

Notes on these codes point to S22.

  • M48.5 Excludes1: traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-)
  • M84.3 Excludes1: traumatic fracture (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-, S42.-, S52.-, S62.-, S72.-, S82.-, S92.-)
  • M84.4 Excludes1: traumatic fracture (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-, S42.-, S52.-, S62.-, S72.-, S82.-, S92.-)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Chest Injuries and Disorders

The chest is the part of your body between your neck and your abdomen (belly). The medical term for your chest is thorax. Your chest holds many important structures for breathing, digestion, blood circulation, and other important body functions. These structures include your:

Read more about chest injuries and disorders on MedlinePlus

Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

Read more about fractures on MedlinePlus

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.