Injury to digital nerve, upper limb

This code signifies a traumatic injury to a nerve supplying a digit (finger or thumb) in the upper extremity. This includes lacerations, contusions, crush injuries, or avulsions affecting the digital nerves, resulting in sensory and/or motor deficits specific to the affected digit.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a direct injury to a digital nerve of the hand, wrist, or forearm. This code is appropriate for acute traumatic events leading to nerve damage, such as those sustained from cuts, punctures, or fractures impacting the nerve's integrity.

• Specify the exact nerve and digit involved if possible, though this code is general for any digital nerve of the upper limb.
• Distinguish from nerve entrapment syndromes (e.g., carpal tunnel) which are not traumatic injuries.
• Consider an external cause code (E-code) to describe the circumstances of the injury.