2025 ICD-10-CM code S29

Other and unspecified injuries of thorax. Code also any associated open wound (S21.-)

Use secondary codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) to indicate the cause of injury.If a foreign body is retained, use Z18.- . Do not use S29 with codes for birth trauma (P10-P15) or obstetric trauma (O70-O71).

Medical necessity is determined by the severity of the injury and the required treatment. Documentation must support the diagnosis and treatment provided.

Providers diagnose these injuries based on patient history, physical examination, and imaging studies like X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and echocardiograms. Treatment can include oxygen, ventilation, pain medication, breathing exercises, rest, chest tube insertion, or surgery.

In simple words: This code represents other and unspecified injuries of the chest. It's used when the injury isn't described in more detail or when the exact location in the chest isn't specified.

This code encompasses injuries to the thorax that are not classified elsewhere in the S20-S29 range. This includes injuries where the specific type of injury or the part of the thorax involved is not specified by the provider.It also includes injuries to the muscle and tendon of the thorax.

Example 1: A patient presents to the ER after a car accident with unspecified chest pain and difficulty breathing. Imaging reveals bruising and minor trauma to the chest wall, but no specific organ damage. S29.9 (Unspecified injury of thorax) would be appropriate., A patient falls from a ladder and lands on their chest. They have pain and tenderness in their chest muscles but no fractures or other injuries. S29.0 (Injury of muscle and tendon at thorax level) is the correct code., A patient experiences a crushing injury to their chest but the documentation does not specify the specific organs injured. The code S29 would be appropriate.

Documentation should specify the nature of injury, the specific location if known, associated symptoms, and diagnostic test results. If the injury falls under a more specific S20-S29 code, that code should be used instead.

** This code should be used when a more specific code within the S20-S29 range is not applicable. Always code to the highest level of specificity. Be sure to code associated open wounds (S21.-) if present.

  • Specialties:Trauma surgery, Emergency medicine, Pulmonology
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office
** Only Enterprise users with EHR integration can access case-specific answers. Click here to request access.