Q&A: ICD-10-CM coding for a degenerative labral tear

Article Overview

This article addresses how an ICD-10-CM coding question about a degenerative labral tear of the shoulder is approached using the Alphabetic Index and shoulder-related diagnosis categories. It is aimed at coders who work with musculoskeletal documentation and need to understand how shoulder injury terminology is indexed in ICD-10-CM. The piece also includes general guidance on searching the index for related shoulder injury and cartilage terms, plus a note about the limits of the example and the need to review documentation carefully.