AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2011 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 & 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Partial Tear of Rotator Cuff
As of October 1, 2011, a unique code has been created to describe a partial rotator cuff tear (726.13). The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and several tendons that surround the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff holds the humerus in place in the shoulder joint and enables the arm to rotate. Rotator cuff tears occur commonly, and in many cases, these tears are only partial tears of the rotator cuff. A partial tear of the rotator cuff is an area of damage to the rotator cuff tendons, where the tear does not go all the...
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Article Overview
This article explains a coding update for partial rotator cuff tear and situates it within broader shoulder and rotator cuff conditions. It is relevant to medical coders, auditors, and clinical documentation staff who need to understand the topic, the related ICD-9-CM code set, and the type of guidance the article provides. The content also includes background on rotator cuff injuries, an ICD-9-CM category context, and a brief coding example.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate identification of this diagnosis affects how shoulder injury cases are classified and documented. The article is useful for understanding the ICD-9-CM change and the related procedure context for rotator cuff repair.
What You Will Learn
- The ICD-9-CM update that introduced a diagnosis code for partial rotator cuff tear
- How partial rotator cuff tears relate to broader shoulder and rotator cuff conditions
- The general clinical context in which rotator cuff tears are seen
- The type of coding guidance associated with the update
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation staff
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
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