What is the ICD-10 code for M75 81?

October 2, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the latest healthcare data, accurate medical coding is a cornerstone of modern healthcare. Understanding What is the ICD-10 code for M75 81 is critical for both patients and providers, as it points to a specific diagnosis concerning the right shoulder.

Quick Summary

The ICD-10 code M75.81 designates a diagnosis of 'other shoulder lesions' specifically affecting the right shoulder, and it is a billable code for medical reimbursement purposes.

Key Points

M75.81 Defined: This ICD-10 code specifically refers to 'other shoulder lesions, right shoulder,' covering various non-specific soft tissue disorders [1, 2].
Laterality is Key: The final digit '1' in M75.81 clearly indicates the diagnosis is for the right shoulder, differentiating it from left or unspecified shoulder issues [1, 2].
Part of a Larger Family: M75.81 is part of the M75 series for 'Shoulder lesions,' which is located in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM manual, focusing on musculoskeletal diseases [1, 2, 3].
Accurate for Billing: Using this specific code is necessary for accurate medical billing and reimbursement from insurance providers [3].
A 'Catch-All' Code: It functions as a diagnosis for shoulder conditions that do not have a more specific ICD-10 code available, such as vague pain or minor inflammation [1].
Requires Specificity: For the most accurate and effective patient care, a more precise code should be used once a definitive diagnosis is established [3].

Understanding the M75.81 Code in Detail

ICD-10, or the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, is a widely used system for classifying health information [3]. Within this system, M75.81 is a code used by healthcare professionals for diagnostic purposes, falling under the broader category of shoulder lesions [1, 2]. Understanding this code is important for accurate patient records and billing [1, 3].

Code M75.81 is part of Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM, which focuses on diseases of the musculoskeletal system [3]. The M75 category is dedicated to 'Shoulder lesions' [1, 2]. This specific code helps in detailing the location and nature of the issue [1, 2].

Deciphering the ICD-10 Code's Structure

ICD-10 codes are structured to convey specific information. For M75.81 [1, 2]:

M: Indicates the code belongs to the chapter on musculoskeletal system diseases [3].
75: Specifies the focus on 'Shoulder lesions' [1, 2].
.8: Designates 'other shoulder lesions,' used when a more specific M75 sub-category isn't applicable [1, 2].
1: Denotes laterality, indicating the 'right shoulder' is affected [1, 2].

This detail is important for patient records and insurance, influencing reimbursement [1, 3]. Comparing M75.81 with codes like M75.80 (unspecified shoulder) and M75.82 (left shoulder) shows the need for specificity [1, 2].

Common Conditions Grouped Under M75.81

M75.81 is used for right shoulder lesions without a more specific ICD-10 code [1, 2]. This can include:

Minor tendinopathies [1].
Nonspecific soft tissue irritation [1].
Chronic pain without a determined cause [1].

Healthcare providers should use the most specific code available when a definitive diagnosis is made [3].

M75.81 Compared to Other Shoulder ICD-10 Codes

Here is a comparison of M75.81 with related shoulder codes:


ICD-10 Code	Diagnosis Description	Affected Side	Specificity Level
M75.81	Other shoulder lesions, right shoulder	Right	Other/Non-specific
M75.80	Other shoulder lesions, unspecified shoulder	Unspecified	Less specific
M75.51	Bursitis of right shoulder	Right	Specific
M75.41	Impingement syndrome of right shoulder	Right	Specific
M75.31	Rotator cuff tear or rupture, right shoulder	Right	Specific

This table shows how M75.81 fits within the system for classifying shoulder lesions [1, 2].

The Critical Role of Accurate Medical Coding

Accurate ICD-10 coding is vital for several reasons:

Medical Records: Ensures accurate documentation [3].
Reimbursement: Affects insurance claim processing [3].
Health Data: Provides data for research and analysis [3].

More information on ICD-10 coding guidelines can be found on resources like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website [3].

Conclusion: Navigating the Nuances of Medical Coding

The M75.81 code is an important detail in healthcare, specifying 'other lesions of the right shoulder' [1, 2]. Understanding such codes is beneficial for navigating medical records and billing, promoting accuracy and better patient care [3].

Frequently Asked Questions

The ICD-10 code M75.81 translates to "Other shoulder lesions, right shoulder." It is used to classify and report a diagnosis of a non-specific soft tissue disorder affecting the right shoulder joint [1, 2].

The difference between M75.81 and M75.82 lies in the laterality. M75.81 specifies a lesion on the right shoulder, while M75.82 indicates a lesion on the left shoulder. The diagnosis itself is otherwise the same—'other shoulder lesions' [1, 2].

No, M75.81 should not be used for all shoulder pain. It is meant for lesions and disorders that don't fit a more specific diagnosis. If a specific condition like bursitis or impingement syndrome is identified, a more detailed ICD-10 code should be used [3].

Accurate ICD-10 coding is essential for several reasons: it ensures correct billing and reimbursement, provides accurate documentation in a patient's medical records, facilitates public health data collection, and aids in research and statistical analysis of disease prevalence [3].

Conditions that might be coded as M75.81 include non-specific tendinopathies, certain ligamentous strains, chronic pain of undetermined origin, or other soft tissue disorders of the right shoulder that lack a more precise diagnostic code [1].

You can find official information about ICD-10 codes on the websites of governing bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as dedicated medical coding resources [3].

The M75.81 code does not specify a singular disease. Rather, it indicates a category of 'other shoulder lesions' for the right shoulder. Your doctor will provide more specific information about your particular diagnosis and condition [1, 2].