ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for forearm puncture
Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified forearm
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Puncture › forearm”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding forearm puncture
The ICD-10-CM code for forearm puncture is S51.839 (Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified forearm). The official index lists 5 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on S51.839.
Within S51.83, choose S51.839 (unspecified forearm) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: right forearm (S51.831) and left forearm (S51.832).
Codes in this range require a 7th character: A for initial encounter, D for subsequent encounter and S for sequela. Use placeholder "X" characters to fill any empty positions before the 7th character.
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
More specific forearm puncture codes (official index)
- with
- foreign body S51.849 — Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified forearm
- elbow only
- left S51.832 — Puncture wound without foreign body of left forearm
- with
- foreign body S51.842 — Puncture wound with foreign body of left forearm
- right S51.831 — Puncture wound without foreign body of right forearm
- with
- foreign body S51.841 — Puncture wound with foreign body of right forearm
Common questions about forearm puncture ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for forearm puncture?
- S51.839 — Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified forearm (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: S51.849, S51.832, S51.842, S51.831 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for left forearm puncture?
- S51.832 — Puncture wound without foreign body of left forearm (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for right forearm puncture?
- S51.831 — Puncture wound without foreign body of right forearm (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is S51.839 billable?
- No. S51.839 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.