What is the ICD-10 code for left shoulder pain?

The ICD-10 code for left shoulder pain is M25.512, used when no specific underlying cause is identified.

When should M25.512 be used instead of a specific diagnosis code?

Use M25.512 when shoulder pain is present without a specific diagnosis confirmed by clinical tests or imaging.

ICD-10 Coding for Left Shoulder Pain(M25.512, M19.0, M25.5)

Save

Explore ICD-10 coding for left shoulder pain, including M25.512 and related codes. Learn about documentation requirements and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Pain in Left ShoulderLeft Shoulder Discomfortleft shoulder ache

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Left Shoulder Pain

M00-M99Primary Range

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

→

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

Code	Description	When to Use	Key Documentation
M25.512	Pain in left shoulder	Use when no specific underlying cause is identified for the shoulder pain.	Patient history indicating pain duration and location Physical exam findings such as limited range of motion
M75.42	Impingement syndrome of shoulder	Use when clinical tests and imaging confirm shoulder impingement.	Positive Neer or Hawkins test Imaging confirming impingement

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes

Pain in left shoulder

M25.512Billable

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions

Impingement syndrome of shoulderM75.42

Strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of left shoulder, initial encounterS46.012A

Pain in left shoulderM25.512

Use when no specific diagnosis like impingement is confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common issues when documenting Left Shoulder Pain.

Lack of specificity in documentation

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation

Ensure thorough documentation of clinical findings., Use specific codes when possible.

Using M25.512 when a specific diagnosis is available

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Increases risk of audit due to lack of specificity., Data Quality: Reduces accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation

Use specific codes like M75.42 for impingement when confirmed.

Use of non-specific codes

Impact

Increased audit risk when using general codes without supporting documentation.

Mitigation

Ensure documentation supports the use of specific codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements, coding pitfalls and FAQs for conditions coded with M25.512.

Primary Code

M25.512

Pain in left shoulder

Quick Navigation

ICD-10 codes7

Coding risks3

FAQs2

ICD-10 Coding for Left Shoulder Pain(M25.512, M19.0, M25.5)

Documentation & Coding Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for left shoulder pain?

When should M25.512 be used instead of a specific diagnosis code?

Related condition guides