S60.029A Contusion of unspecified index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Code S60.029A: Contusion of unspecified index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM code S60.029A identifies a contusion of an unspecified index finger without damage to the nail during an initial encounter. The provided sources establish this specific code definition and offer general clinical context regarding finger trauma mechanisms, such as smashing injuries, and the importance of evaluating the nail bed to determine the extent of tissue damage. 5 4 2

What this code represents

Code S60.029A is officially named a contusion of an unspecified index finger without damage to the nail, initial encounter, and it is classified under the semantic type of injury or poisoning. 5

Plain-language overview

A smashed finger is an injury involving trauma to one or more fingers, and a contusion can present with discoloration or bruising of the finger or fingernail. 4

Clinical context

Finger trauma can occur when a finger is smashed by a hammer blow, car door, desk drawer, baseball, or some other force, and a direct blow to the index finger from a hammer is an example of such an injury. 4 2

The fingernail is a key component of the fingertip that provides essential functions such as protecting the dorsal surface, acting as a counterforce, increasing the sense of touch, and facilitating fine movements. 2

Documentation considerations

When evaluating a fingernail injury, primary care physicians perform a thorough physical examination to determine the extent of injury, which includes evaluating the status of the nail plate and whether it is positioned appropriately under the eponychial fold. 2

Clinical documentation for finger injuries notes whether the trauma involves the joint or nail bed, as an injury to the finger tip that does not involve these structures may not require the help of a health care provider. 4

What the sources add

While the EVS Explore source defines S60.029A as an injury without nail damage, the CMS source illustrates related but distinct codes, such as contusion of right index finger with damage to nail, highlighting the documentation distinction of nail involvement. 5 6

The MedlinePlus source provides general patient instructions for smashed fingers, noting that fingers can be smashed by various forces and that severe pain with blood under the fingernail warrants contacting a provider. 4

Sources

1. Nail-Gun Injuries to the Hand — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
2. Approach to nail trauma for primary care physicians — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
3. Nail injuries: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — medlineplus.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
4. Smashed fingers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — medlineplus.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
5. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
6. Article - Billing and Coding: Surgical Treatment of Nails (A52998) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.