ICD 10 CM S48.029S | Description & Clinical Information
ICD 10 S48.029S describes a medical condition characterized by an incomplete traumatic separation of the shoulder and upper arm, resulting in partial traumatic amputation at an unspecified shoulder joint, where some muscle, bone, or other tissue remains to connect the shoulder to the trunk, and is typically caused by trauma such as crush or blast injuries, getting caught between objects, and machinery or motor vehicle accidents, with the provider not specifying the affected arm at this encounter for a sequela, which is a condition resulting from the injury.
Official Description Of S48.029S
The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code S48.029S as:
Excludes1: traumatic amputation at elbow level (S58.0)
When To Use S48.029S
The diagnosis describes by the ICD-10-CM code S48.029S pertains to a specific type of traumatic amputation known as partial traumatic amputation at an unspecified shoulder joint. In this type of injury, some tissue continuity remains intact between the shoulder joint and the arm. However, the continuity is not complete, and the injury may result in various complications such as bleeding, fracture, laceration, nerve injury, loss of body part, and badly damaged soft tissue.
To diagnose the condition accurately, medical providers rely on a combination of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, CTA scans, and MRI scans. After the diagnosis, the focus shifts to the appropriate treatment methods to heal the patient.
The primary objective of treatment includes the rapid control of bleeding and the preservation of the severed limb. The provider may decide to screen for other life-threatening injuries and offer surgical revascularization for partial amputations if they deem it possible. In tandem with a surgical solution, providers may also prescribe medications such as analgesics to relieve pain, antibiotics to treat infections, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. Finally, given the likelihood of injury in a situation like this, the provider will determine if tetanus prophylaxis is appropriate.
The provider’s options for surgical intervention depend on the severity of the patient’s condition. If a full reconnection of a partially amputated limb is not feasible, the provider may prescribe a suitable prosthesis for the patient, and the physician may offer training on its proper use to aid in the patient’s functioning.
In summary, partial traumatic amputation at an unspecified shoulder joint is a complex condition that can lead to severe complications. The diagnostic process for this type of injury includes a combination of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and imaging techniques. The key to successful treatment is the rapid control of bleeding and the preservation of the severed limb. Providers will diagnose and treat each case independently, with the patient’s best interests in mind. Although challenging, with proper medical care, patients can experience successful healing and restoration of their previous level of functioning.
