Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears are common knee injuries, especially among athletes. Accurate diagnosis and coding are crucial for medical billing, record-keeping, and statistical analysis in healthcare. In the context of medical coding, the diagnosis code for an ACL tear, specifically for a sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee during the initial encounter, is represented by S83.512A under the ICD-10-CM system.
What is ICD-10-CM Code S83.512A?
S83.512A is a specific, billable diagnosis code categorized under the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM). It precisely designates a sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, and the “A” suffix indicates that this is for the initial encounter. This means the code is to be used when the patient is being evaluated and treated for the first time for this particular injury. The code became effective on October 1, 2015, as part of the 2016 ICD-10-CM update and remains current through the 2025 edition.
This level of specificity is vital for healthcare providers and insurance purposes. Using S83.512A ensures that the medical records clearly and accurately reflect the patient’s condition, facilitating appropriate treatment plans and claims processing. It is the American modification of the international ICD-10 code, and it’s important to note that international versions might have variations.
Synonyms and Clinical Terms Associated with S83.512A
While the official description is “Sprain of anterior cruciate ligament of left knee, initial encounter,” several other terms are considered approximate synonyms in clinical practice. These terms all essentially point to the same diagnosis, making S83.512A the relevant diagnosis code for an ACL tear in the left knee:
- Left knee anterior cruciate ligament sprain
- Left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear
- Rupture of anterior cruciate ligament of left knee
- Tear of anterior cruciate ligament of left knee
These synonyms highlight the different ways healthcare professionals might describe an ACL injury, all converging on the same ICD-10-CM code for accurate classification and billing when dealing with a left knee ACL tear during the patient’s initial visit.
History and Context of Code S83.512A
The introduction of S83.512A in 2016 marked the formal adoption of this specific code within the ICD-10-CM system. Before this, broader codes might have been used, lacking the precision offered by S83.512A. Since its inception, the code has remained consistent through multiple revisions of the ICD-10-CM, from 2016 to the current 2025 edition. This stability ensures consistent data collection and analysis over time, crucial for tracking injury trends and healthcare outcomes related to ACL tears.
Understanding the nuances of diagnosis codes like S83.512A is essential for professionals in medical billing, coding, and healthcare administration, as well as for clinicians seeking to accurately document and classify patient conditions related to ACL injuries. Using the correct Diagnosis Code For Acl Tear ensures proper communication, efficient healthcare management, and accurate representation of patient encounters.
