ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

W21Striking against or struck by sports equipment

Not billable — use a more specific code

W21 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 7 more specific codes beneath it.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About W21

W21 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for striking against or struck by sports equipment. It belongs to block W20-W49 (exposure to inanimate mechanical forces) and chapter 20 (external causes of morbidity). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 7 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: W21.0 (ball), W21.1 (club), W21.2 (puck), W21.3 (wear), W21.4 (board), W21.8 (equipment) and W21.9 (equipment).

Don't report W21 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: assault with sports equipment (Y08.0-) and striking against or struck by sports equipment with subsequent fall (W18.01).

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Specific codes under W21

Coding notes

Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code

assault with sports equipment (Y08.0-)
striking against or struck by sports equipment with subsequent fall (W18.01)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to W21.

Broader instructions also apply from W20-W49 Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces and Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity.

Codes whose notes reference W21

W20Excludes1
W20.8Excludes1

Code history

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about W21

Is W21 billable?: No. W21 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.