ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for meniscus tear
Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Tear, torn (traumatic) › meniscus (knee) (current injury)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding meniscus tear
The ICD-10-CM code for meniscus tear is S83.209 (Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee). The official index lists 10 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on S83.209.
Within S83.20, choose S83.209 (Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: Bucket-handle tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee (S83.200), Bucket-handle tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, left knee (S83.201), Bucket-handle tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee (S83.202), other tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee (S83.203), other tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, left knee (S83.204), other tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee (S83.205), unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee (S83.206) and unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, left knee (S83.207).
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 meniscus tear codes (official index)
- bucket-handle S83.20 — Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury
- lateral
- bucket-handle S83.25 — Bucket-handle tear of lateral meniscus, current injury
- complex S83.27 — Complex tear of lateral meniscus, current injury
- peripheral S83.26 — Peripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury
- specified type NEC S83.28 — Other tear of lateral meniscus, current injury
- medial
- bucket-handle S83.21 — Bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus, current injury
- complex S83.23 — Complex tear of medial meniscus, current injury
- peripheral S83.22 — Peripheral tear of medial meniscus, current injury
- specified type NEC S83.24 — Other tear of medial meniscus, current injury
- old
- site other than knee - code as Sprain
- specified type NEC S83.20 — Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury
Common questions about meniscus tear ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for meniscus tear?
- S83.209 — Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: S83.20, S83.25, S83.27, S83.26 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for bucket-handle meniscus tear?
- S83.20 — Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is S83.209 billable?
- No. S83.209 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.